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THE 
PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

A  Romantic   Tragedy 
In  Four  Acts 


EDMOND  ROSTAND 

Translated  into  English   Verse 
By  Anna  Emilia   Bags  tad 


BOSTON 

RICHARD  G.  BADGER 

THE   GORHAM    PRESS 


Copyright,  1921,  by  Richard  G.  Badger 
All  Rights  Reserved 


MADE  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OP  AMERICA 


The  Gorham  Press,  Boston,  U.  S.  A, 


7  e^^ 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CAIJFORNIA 

ft  ANT  A   BA!»   -^'"A   *  '  "  ♦  K  '^'  l.tBRART 


CHARACTERS  OF  THE  DRAMA 

Melissinde — Princess  of  the  Orient,  Countess  of 

Tripoli. 
Bertrand  of  Allamanon — Provengal  knight  and 

troubadour. 
Jeffrey  Rudel — Prince  of  Blaye,  troubadour  of 

Aquitaine. 
Father  Trophimus — The  prince's  chaplain. 
Erasmus — Physician  to  the  prince. 
Squarciafico — Merchant  of  Genoa. 
The  Knight  of  the  Green  Armor — Adventurer 

in  the  service  of  the  Emperor  Manuel. 
Sorismonde — Lady-in-waiting  to  Melissinde. 
The  Captain  of  the  Ship 
Trobaldo  the  Calker 
Franqois,  Master  of  the  Oars 
Pegofat 
Bruno 
Bistagne 

Juan  the  Portuguese 
Marrias  of  Aigues-Mortes 
The  Pilot. 
The  First  Pilgrim. 
The  Second  Pilgrim. 
The  Third  Pilgrim. 
The  Fourth  Pilgrim. 
The  Fifth  Pilgrim. 
NiCHOLOSE — Valet  to  Squarciafico. 
A  Cabin  Boy. 

Sailors,  Musicians,  Slaves,  Etc. 
Time — The  Twelfth  Century. 


►Sailoi 


THE 
PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Act  I 

The  deck  of  a  vessel  which  seems  to  have  gone 
through  a  long  and  terrible  voyage.  One  can  see 
traces  of  storm,  sails  in  rags,  broken  yards,  tangles 
of  rope,  a  mast  leaning.  There  are  evidences  of 
battle,  spots  of  blood,  scattered  weapons.  Night  is 
ending.  Shadows  grey  and  transparent.  Paling  sky. 
Vanishing  stars.  Sea  violet  under  streaks  of  ?nist. 
The  horizon  cloudy.  The  lighting  in  the  course  of 
the  act  changes  gradually. 

Scene  I 

The  Sailors: — Bruno,  Bistagne,  Marrias,  Pego- 
fat,  Trobaldo,  Frangois,  etc.  The  Pilot,  then  the 
Captain  and  Father  Trophimus. 

{As  the  curtain  rises,  lying  or  seated  in  various  at- 
titudes, the  sailors  with  tragic  faces  ghastly  and 
emaciated.  They  seem  exhausted  with  fatigues  and 
privations.  Some  of  them  luith  wounds  hastily 
bound  up  with  rags.  Two  of  them  up  stage,  as  the 
curtain  rises  are  balancing  by  the  head  and  feet, 
a  third  one,  lifeless.) 

Pegofat  and  Bruno — One,  two,  three — Go! 
{They  hurl  the  dead  man  overboard. 
One  hears  the  splashing  in  the  water.) 

7 


8  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Peg.  That's  done. 

Bruno  Like  others  he 

Has  made  his  last  trip  on  the  Tripoli. 
Peg.      {Saluting  in  the  direction  of  the  dead.) 

'Bye,  boy! 
Bruno     The   dawn's   a-coming;    east   grows   red. 

{They  go  down  stage.) 
Franqois  {fVaknig  and  stretching.) 

Whom  did  they  ditch  just  now? 
Bruno  Audrieu  Cut-throat. 

Fran.     Fever,  I  reckon.     {Looks  about  deck.) 

Say,  the  waves  have  done  things! 
Bist.     They  sure  did.    And  the  wind!     No  bowli- 
nes now. 
Bruno     No  runner  tie. 
Fran.  That  mast  will  topple.     Might 

As  well  be  sawed. 
Bist.  For  me  Fd  like  to  eat. 

Bruno     The  steward  hasn't  anything. 
Fran.  My  wounds! 

{Totters.)      Ho,    ho,    our    legs   will    barely 
hold  us  up. 

Now  if  we'd  meet  some  roving  pirate  ship, 

And  hadn't  strength  to  fight — 
Bruno  We'd  fight,  you  bet! 

We'll  meet  one  too,  oh  you  can  bank  on  that. 

May  the  Lord  help  the  boat  that  tries  to 
buck  us! 
Bist.     When  shall  w^e  sail  the  oceans  of  the  east? 
Pilot     Right  soon  I  hope.     The  weather's  beastly 
though. 

Then  if  I  only  hadn't  lost  my  compass! 

And  the  lodestone  too,  to  rub  it  with — 
Bist.      {Shrugging  his  shoulders.)         All  humbug! 


ACT  I  9 

Pilot     No,  there  are  those  who  keep  it  in  a  gourd ; 

You  rub  it,  and  the  iron  loves  the  stone; 

Then  the  needle  points  directly  to  the  north. 
All     Ha,  ha!     Such  idiocy!    A  needle,  stupid! 
Peg.     Well,  drop  the  needle,  speed  the  ship  along. 

The  weather's  clearing,  luck's  with  us  again. 
Bruno     You  think  so,  do  you?     What  about  the 

thirst? 
Fran.     And   the  hunger? 

BiST.  Yes,  we've  suffered. 

Peg  Heaven  help  us! 

Trobaldo      {Astride  a  sail  yard.) 

Some  joke  on  us  if  she  is  homely,  fellows. 
All     Shut  up!     She's  beautiful — she  is,  she  is. 
Trob.     Well,  then  by  heaven  she  must  be,  eh,  Bis- 

tagne  ? 
BiST.     And  not  just  ordinary  either,  son. 

After  the  dangers  we  have  risked  for  her; 

It  makes  me  mad  now,  when  I  think  about  it. 
Bruno     But  just  the  same  the  Princess  Far-Away 

Is  beautiful. 
All  She  is,  she  is,  she  is! 

Marrl^s.     For  me  I  know  she  is. 
BiST.  Come,  come,  a  princess! 

Why  fellows,  they  are  always  beautiful! 
Pilot     You  never  talk  of  anything  but  her. 
Pego.  We're  tired,  in  the  dumps,  talk  turns  on  her, 

And  everybody's  gay — or  nearly  so. 
Pilot     And  will  they  even  let  you  see  the  bird? 
Bruno     Oh,  yes,  the  prince  has  promised,  when  we 
land, 

To  take  us  to  her,  and  to  tell  the  lady 

We  are  the  ones  that  brought  him  to  her 
knees. 


lo  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

Pilot     And    you    imagine,    then,    a    sure    enough 
princess 

Will  talk  with  us? 
Pego.  Oh,  nothing  of  the  sort; 

But  we  shall  see  her;    and  that  too  is  some- 
thing, 

When  one  considers  that  they  talk  of  her 

In   all  the  lands  of   Christendom. 
Bruno  And  talk 

Of  nothing  else  but  her. 
Cabin  Boy  And  of  her  eyes! 

Pilot     You  think  you'll  see  her  eyes? 
Cabin  Boy  I  will,  by  heck! 

Pego.     Here  comes  the  captain. 
Capt.  If  we'd  see  the  princess 

First  we  must  get  there,  and  then,  secondly. 

Our  gentle  prince,  Jeffrey  Rudel,  must  live. 
Capt.  If  we'd  see  the  princess, 

poor  prince! 
Capt.     You   see   they've   closed    the   cabin   of   the 
boat; 

And    there    he    lies,    watched    over    by    his 
friends. 
Peg.     I  heard  him  sing  last  night. 
BiST.  It  is  amazing 

How  he  can  sing. 
Fran.  What  do  you  call  that  thing 

He  strums  on? 
Pilot  That  is  called  a  lyre,  Francois. 

Fran.     A  lyre?     By  Our  Lady,  don't  it  make 

A  pretty  noise ! 
BiST.  Sweet,  to  the  sound  of  oars. 

Capt.     Hush,  here's  the  priest. 
Peg.  Ah,  the  confessor,  yes. 


ACT  I  II 

{Father  Trophimus  kneels  up  stage.) 
Bruno     Nice  fellow  for  a  priest. 
Fran.  Good-natured,  kind. 

BiST.     I  wish  more  of  them  were. 
Capt.  The  stars  are  out. 

F.  Troph.      {Kneeling.)     Oh,  Virgin  of  the  wave, 
who  for  the  sailor, 

Can'st    change    the    roaring   tempest    into 
calm. 
Now  let  our  barque  glide  like  a  swan  to  port. 
If  Thou  wilt  let  our  prince,  our  Jeffrey  live, 
Then  at  Tortosa  on  Thine  altar  I 
Will  place  a  ship  of  silver  like  the  one 
On  which  we  row,  complete  with  oars  and 
rudder. 
Pilot     Pooh,  pooh,  such  nonsense!     If  I  had  my 

compass — 
BisT.     Shut  up,  you  ass!     That  don't  do  any  harm. 

{Enter  Doctor  Erasmus.    Sailors  snicker.) 
Bruno     So  the  old  leech  sticks  in  his  mug. 
Fran.  The  doctor! 

BiST.     He  ain't  so  much. 
Trob,  Hey,  where's  your  pill  box,  son? 

Scene  II 

Father     Trophimus,     Erasmus,     Sailors     up 
stage. 
F.  Troph.     Master  Erasmus,  how's  the  patient? 
Eras.  Worse ; 

He  sleeps  just  now,  with  my  lord  Bertrand 

watching. 
{Looks  at  horizon.)    Well,  well,  Father,  not 
a  thing  in  sight 


12  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

But  fog  and  fog.     (Furious.)     I,  doctor  of 

Salerno, 
I  ask  you,  why  should  I  have  been  exposed 
To  all  these  hardships?     Where's  my  desk, 

my  fire? 
Where  are  my  books?    Alas,  the  winds  and 

waves 
Have  torn  my  robes  to  rags,  and  one  by  one 
Blown  all  my  caps  away. 
Father  T.  Jeffrey  Rudel — 

Eras.     He's  the  nice  silken  gentleman,  dreamer  of 

dreams 
And  poet  who's  to  blame  for  all  of  this. 
When  I  came  to  his  house,  the  petted  prince- 
ling, 
It  was  to  live  at  ease,  in  fact  enjoy  life 
Under  his  roof.     To  care  for  him  on  land, 
Not  on  the  sea.    This  is  a  bitter  pill ! 
I  wish  the  devil  and  flames  of  hell 
Had  all  those  Antioch  pilgrims!    It  was  they 
Who  came  one  evening,  just  at  supper  time, 
The  hour  when  the  goodly  carving  knife 
Slashes  the  well-browned  turkey,  they  were 

first 
To  speak  to  him  of  Princess  Melissinde. 
They  sang,  with  a  most  unbecoming  zeal 
The   praise   of   Raymond's   daughter.     Yes, 

they  raved 
As  in  delirium  of  this  Flower  of  Asia. 
The  fat  one's  eyes  grew  round  with  ecstacy. 
Even  while  they  spoke  with  him  the  prince 

arose — 
He's   always   been   in   love  with   mists   and 

shadows — 


ACT  I  13 

Proclaimed  her  as  his  lady.     Since  that  time 
He  dreams  of  her  alone,  sings  but  of  her; 
And  for  two  years  has  lived  at  such  high 

tension, 
That   now,    a   nervous   wreck,   with    failing 

health, 
He  undertakes  this  crazy  voyage,  seeking 
The  fair  unknown  whom  he  has  never  seen! 
Father  T.     Master  Erasmus — 
Eras.  The  foam  shall  be  his  shroud! 

And  this  my  lord  Bertrand  of  AUamanon, 
When  all  the  rest  tried  to  remonstrate  with 

him, 
He  stood  by  Jeffrey,  praised  his  loyalty, 
Lauded  his  sufferings  and  declared  the  voy- 
age 
A  splendid  venture!    Oh,  it's  absolutely 
Absurd !   Yet  you,  a  priest — there  is  a  reason 
Why  I  should  be  mixed  up  in  the  affair. 
But  you — the  prince's  chaplain!     As  if  you 
Had  any  excuse  at  all  for  being  here! 
Your  master  is  the  only  nobleman 
Who,  with  the  chivalry  of  Aquitaine 
And  France,  seeks  not  the  Holy  Land.    For- 
sooth, 
He  plays  the  lute!     Love's  pilgrim,  he  pro- 
claims 
The  Holy  Sepulchre  is  not  for  him ! 
Father  T.     How  can  we  know  the  secret  destina- 
tion 
God  has  in  store  for  us? 
Eras.  Why,  Palestine! 

Led  thither  by  the  light  in  woman's  eyes! 


1 4  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

Father  T.     And   God    is   pleased   with   this   our 

quest,  believe  me. 
Eras.     Indeed?      The    Lord    is    pleased?     With 

what  ? 
Father  T.  With  all. 

With  everything! 
Eras.  Ah,  so? 

Father  T.  Yes,  He  gains  all, 

From  any  great,  unselfish  enterprise. 
I'm  sure  this  pure  unselfish  human  love 
Pleases  Him  quite  as  much  as  the  Crusade. 
Eras.     And  you  compare  an  amorous  adventure 
With  the  rescue  of  the  Floly  Sepulchre? 
Father  T.     But  what  God  wants  is  not  the  liber- 
ating 
Of  Christ's  dear  tomb.     Wer't  nothing  but 

to  drive 
Away  from  it  the  swarm  of  infidels, 
The  sweep  of  one  strong  angel's  wing  would 

do  't. 
That's   not   the  point.     What   God   wants, 

good  my  friend. 
Is  first  of  all  to  snatch  all  those  who  live 
Selfish,  indifferent,  torpid,  in  their  pride 
And  egoism,  snatch  them  from  themselves 
And  hurl  them  singing  in  among  the  lances ; 
Drunk    with    devotion,    half    in    love    with 

death ! 
'Tis  that  divine  forgetfulness  we  need. 
Eras.     So  what   the   prince   achieves   for  his   fair 

lady — 
Father  T.     Is  the  salvation  of  a  human  soul. 
His  soul  was  dead,  gay,  futile,  indolent; 
It  has  revived  in  him  to  will,  to  suffer, 


ACT  I  15 

To  love!    P"or  him,  and  all  of  us, 

The  important  thing  is  just  to  have  a  heart. 

The  petty  vices  of  his  petty  court, 

Its  trifling  aims  mean  nothing  to  him  now. 

And   you   can   think  his   love   is   not   worth 

while? 
Why,  all  great  lovers  always  work  for  God  1 
Eras.     So  be  it ! 

Father  T.      (///  a  lozu  tone.)     Mark  these  rowers 
on  the  benches. 
These    sailors — well,    what   were    they    for- 
merly? 
Outlaws.    Could  you  conceive  a  band  of  men 
More  criminal  than  those  that  man  this  boat, 
In  former  days?     This  was  a  pirate  ship. 
Now  they  are  pledged  to  carry  my  lord  Jeff- 
rey 
To  his  far-distant  lady.     When  they  signed 
Their  contract  with  the  captain,  she  for  them 
Did  not  exist.     Today  there  isn't  one 
Who  wouldn't  gladly  give  his  life  for  her. 
Eras.     And  you  are  satisfied  ? 
Father  T.  I  am  enchanted! 

The  boat  sails  to  a  fairer  port  than  wealth ; 
All  dream  but  of  the  princess,  long  to  see 

her, 
And  these  fierce  natures  have  grown  almost 

gentle. 
The  lady  of  the  poet  is  their  lady. 
One  ends  by  loving  that  to  which  one  rows. 
They  want  the  prince  to  come  into  her  pres- 
ence, 
His  love  has  touched  them,  his  vague,  mys- 
tic love; 


1 6  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Its  noble  follj",  which  none  understands, 
Is  clear  as  daylight  to  these  simple  souls. 

Eras.     The  pilot  finds  the  madness  rather  trying. 

Father  T.     He's  more  sophisticated. 

Eras.  Does  it  matter? 

Father  T.     It  matters  everything.     For  every  ray 
Of  the  ideal  filtering  through  the  soul 
Is  that  much  gained  o'er  evil ;  and  a  nobler 
Follows  each  noble  impulse.    Who  can  have 
Visions,  and  then  lose  them  totally? 
The  hearts  they  touched  are  large  for  ever- 
more. 
You  seem  amazed  at  what  I'm  telling  you. 
Yes,  I'm  a  partisan  of  high  adventure. 
What  were  the  Argonauts  compared  to  this! 
'Tis  lyrically  epic,  this  small  boat. 
Its  oars  beat  time  to  poetry.    A  poet 
Stands  at  its  helm  and  rules  a  band  of  band- 
its. 
Rowing,  in  glad  obedience  to  him, 
Toward  an  unknown  lady  fair  and  pure. 
Their  only  aim  is  to  arrive  in  time 
For  a  dying  man  to  see  her.    Ah,  Erasmus, 
Inertia  is  the  only  vice  of  man. 
And  the  only  virtue — 

Eras.  What  ? 

Father  T.  Enthusiasm!     {Goes  up  stage.) 

Eras     H'm,    a   queer   sort   of   monk.      One   can't 
deny — 
{After  some  reflexion.)     They'd  excommun- 
icate him  fast  enough. 
{Bertrand,  whose  clothes  also  are  in  rags,  is- 
sues from   the  cabin.) 


ACT  I  17 

Bert.      {To  Erasmus.)     The  prince  awakes. 
Eras.  I  go  to  him  at  once. 

{He  enters  the  cabin.) 

Scene  III. 

Father  TrophimuSj  Bertrand,  the  sailors. 

Capt.     {To  Peg  of  at.)     Why  don't  you  row,  you 

lout? 
Peg.  For  three  whole  days 

Not  a  scrap  in  the  belly.     I  can't  row. 
Bruno.     I'm  dead  of  thirst. 

Father    T.      {Goes   to    Bertrand  and    takes   his 
hands.) 

Son,  your  devotion 

To   the   prince   is   admirable.      I   like   your 

spirit. 

Bert.     My  heart  was  open  to  each  passing  whim; 

A  hero  came  along,  seduced  me.     Could 

I  be 

Troubadour,  Provenqal  and  not  follow  him  ? 

{To  the  sailors.)     Courage,  my  lads,  we're 


gomg,  gomg  on 


{To  Father  Trophimus.)  I  was  so  tired 
of  my  life  at  home. 

Of  juggling  with  mere  words,  of  making 
verses, 

Little  enamelled  trinkets,  I  was  nothing 

Except  a  literary  manicurist, 

Sophisticated,    vain,    sick   with    indulgence; 

At  least  I  think  I'm  good  for  something  now. 
Father  T.  Your  courage,  your  care  for  the  dy- 
ing prince — 


1 8  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

Bert.     I  am  a  poet.    This  devotion  may  be 

One    more    seduction,    one    more    whim    of 
fancy. 
Father  T.     What  of  it?     You  are  brave.     Now 
don't,  my  son, 
Try  to  belittle  everything  you  do. 
Bert.     My  saintly  friend,  you  embarrass  me  with 
praise. 
My  heart  is  a  strange  medley.     Capable 
Of  great  actions.    But  too  much  at  the  mercy 
Of  my  wild  fancies,  my  emotions. 
It  scares  me  just  a  bit  when  I  remember 
Flow  quickly  I  left  all  to  follow  him 
In  this  adventure.     Men  more  slow  than  I 
In  their  response  to  good,  would  give  less 

prompt 
Response  to  evil.     Don't  admire  too  much 
My  noble  zeal.     Remember  I'm  a  poet. 
A  Sailor.      {Stretched  out,  to  the  captain  who  is 
trying  to  help  him  rise.) 
Ah,  no,  leave  me  alone!     I'm  done  for. 
Capt.      {To  Bert.)      Say  something  to  them  to  re- 
vive their  courage. 
Pego.     I'm  starving.     Tell  me  of  her  golden  hair. 
Bruno.     I  die  of  thirst.     Sing  of  her  starry  eyes. 
Fran.     You've  told  us  of  her.    Tell  us  once  again. 
{They  all  surround  him,  feeble  and  entreat- 
ing.) 
Bertrand 

Good  sailors  all,  again  I'll  tell 
A  tale  to  put  you  wise: 
The  sunshine  glimmers  in  her  hair, 
The  moon  dreams  in  her  eyes. 


ACT  I  19 

When  from  their  golden  setting  shine 
Her  dainty  features  like  a  gem, 
Deserted  mistresses  repine 
That  lovers  look  no  more  on  them. 

I  try,  and  sooth  I  cannot  guess 

What  makes  her  charm  unique,  unknown; 

A  saint  she  is  and  sorceress, 

And  lovely  as  herself  alone. 

Gentle  and  jesting  are  her  ways; 
A  thousand  charms  make  men  rejoice; 
I  deem  the  flowers  taught  her  grace, 
The  murmuring  brooklet  is  her  voice. 

Of  blend  bizarre  in  blood  is  she; 
Moab  and  France  are  in  her  veins; 
This  Melissinde  of  Tripoli 
Within  her  vast,  bright  palace  reigns. 

There  shall  we  see  the  princess  soon; 
Unless  'twere  lies  the  pilgrim  tells, 
Who  comes  with  scrip  and  staff  and  shoon 
And  cloak  of  rustling  cockle  shells. 

{During  the  singing  the  sailors  have  raised 
up  one  by  one.) 

Pego.     I  guess  we'll  make  it. 

Bruno  I  feel  better  now. 

Fran.      (Rowing.)     A  long  pull  and  a  strong  one! 

Pilot     (To  Bertrand.)  You  put  pep 

Into  these  fellows.     Now  they'll  work  like 

madmen. 


20  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Got  'em  plumb  crazy,  ain't  you?    You're  a 
poet! 
Bertrand.     You   say   Rudel   and    I   make   people 
crazy? 
But  that  they  still  will  work  is  all  my  do- 
ing. 
On  board  a  boat  that's  tossing  in  the  break- 
ers 
They  need  a  poet  rather  than  a  pilot. 
Pego.     Especially  when  the  pilot's  a  shrewd  fel- 
low ! 
Bert.     How  long  will  this  fog  hang  upon  the  wa- 
ter! 
Capt.     Wait  till  the  sun — 

Pilot  If  I  only  had  my  compass! 

Pego.     Eh?     What?     Your  learning  ain't  much, 
fer  it  leads  you 
Nowhere.      If  you  knew  north   from  south 

you  couldn't 
Keep  folks  on  board  from  bein'  tired  could 
you? 
Bruno.     Make  me  alive  when   I  was  dead  with 

hunger  ? 
Fran.     We're  drunk  with  thirst.     Can  you  make 

us  forget  it? 
Father  T.     They  bring  the  prince. 
Bert.  Now,  to  your  benches,  fellows. 

{Jeffrey  Rudel,  his  face  terribly  worn,  his 
body  emaciated,  is  borne  in  on  a  cot.  He 
shakes  with  fever  and  his  eyes  have  an 
extraordinary  luster. ) 
Jeffrey  R.  The  nearer  land,  the  more  I  feel  I'm 
dying. 


ACT  I  21 

Scene  IV 
The  same.     Jeffrey  Rudel. 

Jeffrey     Day,  I  salute  you!     Most  glorious  now 

at  the  dawning. 
Tonight  when   the   twilight   comes,   shall   I 

see  her,  the  princess, 
Melissinde  of  the  East,  whose  name  has  the 

savor  of  honey; 
Melissinde,  thou,  whom  the  Emperor  Man- 
uel sought  for  his  empress 
That  you  might  reign  with  him  in  imperial 

Constantinople ! 
Always  the  waves  of  the  sea  roll  green  and 

forbidding  between  us, 
Flower  supreme  of  the  blood  of  the  glorious 

Baldwin. 
Shall  I  never  see  rising  superb,  out  of  the 

waste  of  the  waters 
Tripoli,  blessed  of  cities,  in  having  you  for 

its  sovereign? 
The  fog  builds  on  the  horizon  so  many  il- 
lusory cities. 
Must   I   remain  here  to  die  in  my  floating 

prison,  and  never 
Breathe  the  odor  of  myrtles  that  waft  from 

the  shores  of  your  kingdom? 
Pilot     By  heaven,  the  fog  lifts! 
Jeffrey  See  her,  and  then  die! 

Go  to  sleep  dreaming  of  her — 
Pego.  You  shall  see  her! 

Jeff.     Thanks,   rough   and   valiant  voice!     What 

was't  I  said? 


22  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Despair — despair  today?    Oh  lady  mine! 
Row  me  to  her,  good  men.     My  soul  for- 
sakes me. 
Bruno     You  shall  see  her! 

Jeff.  Bruno,  Bistagne,  Pegofat, 

Frangois,  chief  oarsman,  Trobaldo  the  calker, 
You  that  for  me  have  suffered  ills  unnumber- 
ed, 
Juan    the    Portuguese,    Marrias    of    Aigues 

Mortes, 
Grimoart,  Luke  and  all  the  rest,  I  thank  you. 
Pego.     Aw,  cut  it  out.    We're  glad  we  done  it  for 

ye. 
Bruno     It's  been  some  voyage,  fellows. 
Fran.  Nothing  like  it! 

Jeff.     You  did  not  carry  Caesar  and  his  fortune; 

You  carried  Jeffrey  Rudel  and  his  love. 
Father  T.      {Approaching.)      Hope  on,  my  son. 
Jeffrey  Good  morning.  Saint  Trophimus. 

{Turning  to  Erasmus.)     Without  your  doc- 
tor's robe  and  cap  I  like  you, 
Because  you  look  less  learned,  dear  my  doc- 
tor. 
Eras.     My  lord — 

Jeffrey     No  harm  intended.     {To  Bert.)     Best  of 
friends, 
Brother   more   dear   to   me   than    flesh   and 

blood, 
Who  offered  to  go  with  me  on  this  voyage, 
And  found  me  wise  when  others  called  me 

mad. 
Ah,  I  must  die  so  far  from  all  that's  mine! 
Bert.     Don't  regret — 


ACT  I  23 

Jeffrey  I  regret  nothing!    Parents,  fireside, 

The  fair  lands  that  I  left  in  Aquitaine. 

And  I  die  loving  Princess  Far-Away. 
Eras.     The  cause  of  all  your  ill! 
Jeffrey  Bless  her  for  that! 

I    love   the   great    hopes   and    the   dawning 
dreams. 

I  almost  envy  Icarus  his  fate. 

He   left   the   earth   and   soared   tow^ard   the 
sun. 

Like   him   I   love  the   thing  that   gives  me 
death. 
Eras.     This  love,  in  spite  of  all,  remains  a  prob- 
lem. 

How  can  one  love  what  one  has  never  seen? 
Jeffrey     Yes,   when  one  has  a  high  and  ardent 
heart 

He  cannot  love  the  thing  he  knows  too  well. 

(Raisin ff  himself  up  on  his  cot.) 

Alas,  was  my  pilgrimage  vain?    And  yet  on 
my  harp 

With  a  voice  all  but  gone  I  will  sing.     Sup- 
port me  I  pray. 

While  dying  I  sing  of  the  princess  I  never 
shall  see. 

(He  takes  the  harp  hanging  at  the  head  of 
his  bed  and  plays  a  prelude.) 

I  hesitate;   what  shall  I  sing  since  the  song 
is  my  last  ? 

Ah,  what  but  the  verses  I  made  for  her  in 
the  dawn  of  my  love — 

These  shall  be  also  my  last. 

(^He  sings  to  his  accompaniment.) 


24  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

It  is  a  common  thing 
To  breathe  a  sigh  for  one 
With    tresses   blonde   or   dark,    or   like   the 
ruddy  sun. 

If  it  be  ask  and  have, 

Who  for  such  love  would  stay  ? 

Rather  I  love  the  Princess  Far-Away. 

Faith  cannot  last  for  long. 

There  is  an  end  of  bliss. 

When  one  a  garment's  hem  too  oft  may  kiss. 

In  the  hand  much  caressed 

What  beauty  dwells  I  pray? 

For  me  I  love  the  Princess  Far-Away. 

The  thing  o'er  all  supreme 

Is  all  unloved  to  love. 

Nor  ask  return,  true  as  the  stars  above. 

A  love  uncertain  mine ; 

All  the  more  brave  and  gay 

Because  I  love  the  Princess  Far-Away. 

For  'tis  a  thing  divine, 
I  cannot  deem   it  vain. 
The  thing  one  dreams,  imagines,  seeks  with 
pain. 

Were  there  no  dreams 
Life  would  be  dull  and  grey. 
I    love    remote,    unseen,    the    Princess    Far- 
Away. 


ACT  I  25 

{He  jails  back  exhausted.) 

I  cannot !     My  poor  fingers  fail  me,  unable 

to  find 
The  strings  of  the  harp.    Tears  arise  in  my 

throat  and   they  choke  me. 
Alas,  Melissinde,  I  am  silent  forever.     Hope 

leaves  me. 

A  Voice     Land ! 

{Jeffrey  has  risen  with  arms  extended.) 

Marrias  Yes,  look! 

Bruno  It  is  true!     Land! 

Fran.     Hurrah !     Now  a  long  pull  and  strong. 

BisT.  The  fog  hides  it. 

Juan     A  land  of  gold ! 

Trob.  With   purple  mountain  peaks! 

Pego.     Tripoli!     Hail!     Hooray! 

Bruno      {Running   like  a   madman.)      Don't   get 

excited. 
Fran.     Land!     It  is  Tripoli! 
BiST.  I  see  the  palms. 

Marrias     Not  yet. 
Fran.     I  see  them. 

Trob.  There's  a  king-fisher. 

Pego.     The  shore  looks  like  a  mottled  lion's  skin. 
Pilot.     I  surmised  rightly  it  was  Tripoli. 

Behold    the   long   white   shore    and   slender 
shrubs. 
All     Hail  to  the  pilot! 
Pego.  Under  skies  of  flame 

The  city  glows  like  fire. 


26  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Bruno  There's  a  bird 

With  rose-hued  plumage. 
Fran.  That's  a  flamingo. 

BiST.     Let's  hug  each  other! 

Trob.  Sing  a  jolly  song. 

Pego.     Hard  luck  is  over! 
Trob.  Land ! 

Juan  Land! 

Marr.  Land ! 

BiST.  The  harbor! 

Pego.     Tripoli ! 

Jeffrey     The  princess  Melissinde!     {He  falls  in- 
to the  arms  of  Bertrand.) 
Bert.  He's  dying! 

The  landing  must  be  made. 
Capt.  Oh,  no,  the  least 

Jar  on  a  rock  will  break  the  boat  you  see. 

One  can't  approach  and  not  strike  bottom. 
Send 

A  boat — 

Bert.     His  eyes  are  closed.    He  breathes  more  easy. 

Eras.     A  little,  yet  he's  very,  very  sick. 

Bert.      {In  despair.)     We  can't  delay! 

Jeffrey  I  hear  what  you  are  saying; 

I  know  it  well;  I'm  dying,  and  you  must, 
Oh  soon,  soon,  now,  at  once,  bring  me  to 

shore ; 
Lest  I,  like  Moses,  see  the  promised  land, 
And  fix  my  eyes  in  death  upon  it. 

Bert.  Can  we 

Carry  him  thither? 

Eras.  No,  it  can't  be  done. 

Jeffrey     I  want  to  see  her. 


ACT  I  27 

Eras.      {Presenting  a  vial.)     Safety  first,  my  prince 

Drink,  rest,  and  then  perhaps — 
Jeffrey  Listen,  Bertrand, 

Cost  what  it  may,  bring  me  to  yonder  shore. 

Since  I  am  doomed  you  can  without  remorse 

Hasten  the  end  a  bit.     I  want  the  truth: 

Will  I  die  before  arriving? 
Eras.  Yes,  my  lord. 

Jeffrey     Ah,  Bertrand,  help  me! 
Eras.  But  if  you  remain 

Resting,  refrain  from  talking,  calm  and  pati- 
ent. 

You'll  mend.     Then  see  the  lady  of  your 
dreams. 
Jeffrey     No,  no ;   doctors  are  always  liars.     Ber- 
trand, I 

Must  see  her. 
Bert.  And  you  shall. 

Jeffrey  But,  how  Bertrand? 

Bert.     You  shall  see  her  I  tell  you.  Oh,  I  swear  it ; 

Yes  I  will  go,  speak  to  her,  bring  her  to  you. 
Jeffrey     Bertrand ! 
Bert.  The  lady  has  a  heart,  perchance; 

Yes,  yes,  you'll  see  her  ere  the  day  is  ended. 

Take  good  care  of  yourself.     I'll  tell  her  of 
you. 
Jeffrey     Bertrand ! 
Bert.         Yes,   I  will  tell  her  that  a  Frenchman, 

A  poet  loves  her,  came  past  Turk  and  temp- 
est, 

Come  to  her  as  a  pilgrim  to  the  cross.     I'll 
tell  her 

That  he's  arrived,  is  too  ill — 
Jeffrey  And  you  think — 


28  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Bert.     That  she  will  come.  I'm  sure.     I  go  at  once 

A  skiff,  a  boat.    We'll  have  her  answer  soon. 

Quick  here!    The  oars!     I'll  row!     'Tis  no 
long  way. 

I'll  bring  the  princess  to  you.     Now  be  good. 
Jeffrey     Oh,  Bertrand,  if  you  do! 
Bert.  I  will.     I've  said  it. 

She'll  have  to  come  whether  she  will  or  no. 
Jeffrey     Can  you  get  to  her?     She,  a  princess, 
guarded. 

And  you  accoutred — 
Bert.  Never  thought  of  that. 

{To  a  sailor.)      Here  boy,   my  trunk,   my 
arms. 
Jeffrey  Yes,  bring  mine  too, 

My  choicest  jewels,  you  shall  wear  them  all. 

My  collar,  buckle,  spurs  of  gold — 'tis  some- 
thing 

To  be  the  envoy  of  an  amorous  poet, 

More  than  a  king's  ambassador.   Look  grand, 

And  see  that  nothing  stops  you. 
Capt.  Take  a  guide. 

The  palace  is  not  near  the  landing.     Ask 

At  the  first  house  you  find.     Your  host  no 
doubt 

Will  offer  to  conduct  you.     Dress  yourself 

And  go  with  him  at  once. 
Jeffrey  Tell  him  to  hasten, 

Or  I  will  follow. 
Eras.  Prince,  you,  shouldn't  talk. 

It  weakens  you. 
Jeffrey  Then  I'll  be  silent.     Listen — 

Bert.     But  you  must  rest. 
Jeffrey  Plead  with  her,  melt  her  heart — 


ACT  I  29 

Be  eloquent,  find  phrases.  No, — or  rather 
Tell  her  the  simple  truth  that  I  adore  her, 
That  I  die  singing  of  her  matchless  beauty. 
I've  dreamed  two  years  of  her.     I  shall  be 

prince 
Of  lovers  if  I  see  her  for  two  minutes. 
Bert.     Yes,  yes,  but  speak  no  more. 
Jeffrey  Nay,  I  am  silent. 

But   don't   be   too   abrupt,    break   the   news 

gently. 
Prepare  her — I'll  keep  quiet.     What  if  you 
Should  bring  to  her  those  verses  I  just  sang — 
I  tried  to  sing.     Wouldn't  that  be  the  best 
Way  to  explain  my  love  perhaps — 
Bert.  Don't  worry ; 

I'll  sing  your  verses  to  her. 
Jeffrey  All  of  them? 

Bert.      {With  forced  gayety.)    What  a  catastrophe 
if  I  should  miss 
A  verse  or  two!     No,  I'll  remember  all. 
Jeffrey     Embrace   me   once    again.      {They    em- 
brace.) 
Father  T.  Upon  my  knees 

I'll  pass  the  interim  till  you  return. 
Erasmus     {Low  to  Bertrand.)     It  may  be  days, 
or  he  may  die  this  evening. 
Or  in  an  hour. 
Capt.  Doctor,  if  he  dies 

We'll  hoist  to  the  mast  the  sign  we  call  the 

Wolf, 
A  black  flag  that  we  used  when  we  were 

pirates. 
Nights,  when  we  thought  we  mightn't  have 
clear  sailing. 


30  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Father  T.      {Accompanying  Bertrand.)   Persuade 

her,  make  her  come.     Insist,  insist. 
Bert.     Yes,  till  the  black  flag  flies! 

{He   leaps   the   rail   and  descends   into    the 

skiff.    A  sound  of  chains  is  heard,  and  oars 

beating  the  water.) 

Jeffrey  Now  bring  my  couch 

Close  to  the  rail.     I'm  sure  that  she  will 

come. 
{Voice  of  Bertrafid  in  the  distance.) 
I   pledge  my  word.     Adieu.     I'll  soon  re- 
turn. 
Jeff.     It's  certain  he  will  bring  her.    Lovely  morn- 
ing! 
The  bark  glides  out  upon  a  rosy  sea ! 
When  Bertrand  undertakes  a  thing — 
Bruno  She'll  come! 

Fran.     We'll  see  her! 

Pego.  On  this  boat! 

Trob.  And  right  away! 

( The  voice  of  Bertrand  losing  itself  in  the 

distance.) 
The  Princess — I  will  bring  her — soon! 
Jeffrey  The  barque 

Is  far  away  already.     How  the  water 
Shines,    and    the    lapping   oars    are   scarcely 

heard. 
Now  leave  me.     I  will  rest. 

Curtain 


Act  II 

Room  in  a  palace  with  a  luxury  half  Roman,  half 
Oriental.  At  the  back  a  large  window  opens  on  the 
terrace  behind  ivhich  the  sea  mounts  on  the  horizon. 
At  the  right,  on  the  second  plane,  a  large  door  opens 
upon  a  gallery  ivhich  recedes,  with  slender  colon- 
nades and  fountains.  At  the  left  a  stairway  of  por- 
phyry descends  from  a  heavy  door  of  gold.  Shin- 
ing marble  flagstones;  all  the  steps  of  the  stairway 
set  with  freshly  gathered  iris.  Divan  with  many 
cushions.  On  the  luall,  near  the  door,  an  enormous 
battle-axe  with  enamelled  handle  studded  with  un- 
cut jewels. 

Scene  I.     The  Pilgrims 

{As  the  curtain  rises  the  windoiv  at  the  back  is 
closed.  A  group  of  pilgrims  clothed  in  sack-cloth 
decorated  with  cockle  shells,  each  holding  in  his  hand 
a  staff  and  a  long  green  palm,  are  in  the  foreground. 
These  pilgrims  speak  in  low  tones,  like  people  fright- 
ened and  dazzled  by  what  they  see.) 

First  Pil.     The  lady  who  received  us  doesn't  come. 
Second  Pil.     The  silence  is  so  deep  one  hears  the 
rustle 
Of  the  thin  lily  petals. 
Third  Pil.  Hush!    'Twas  nothing — • 

A  splash  of  water — 
Fourth  Pil.  I'm  no  longer  sure 

Just  where   I   am ;    we've  crossed   so  many 
rooms. 
First  Pil.     Seven. 

31 


32  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Second  Pil.  Such  strange  mosaics! 

Third  Pil,  Golden  birds 

In  cages. 
Fourth  Pil.      Carpets  underfoot,  soft  cushions — 
Second    Pil.      {To    Third.)      Did   you    see    that 

giant? 
Third  Pil.  Yes,  the  one  who  stared 

So  fiercely  at  us?    Certainly. 
First  Pil.  Be  still ! 

That's  the  Knight  with  the  Green  Armor. 

Foreign  adventurer — 
{Just  then  one  sees  passing  in  the  gallery,  a 
tall  knight  in  green  enamelled  armor.) 
Second  Pil.      {Nudging  the  first.)     He's  right  be- 
hind us.     Hush ! 
Third  Pil.     His  helmet's  set  with  chrysolites. 
Fourth  Pil.  The  haft 

Of  his  sword's  an  emerald !      ( The  knight 
disappears. ) 
Second  Pil.     {Shivering.)      Believe  me,   I   don't 
like 
This  prowling  phantom. 
First  Pil.  An  adventurer 

Splendid  and  cruel,  representing  here 
The  Emperor  Manuel,  his  master  and 
The  affianced  of  the  Princess. 
Second  Pil.  Ah,  she  weds 

The  Emperor  Manuel? 
First  Pil.  He's  a  jealous  man, 

And  thinks  she  weds  him  for  state  reasons 

only. 
This  Caesar  of  Byzantium  sets  a  watch 
Over  her  heart  lest  some  young  lover  come 
To  steal  her.    This  green  warrior  — - 


ACT  II  33 

Third  Pil.  Me,  I'm  hungry. 

First  Pil.     Bars  out  the  young  and  handsome  ones. 
Fourth  Pil.  He's  strong! 

First  Pil,     Frightfully!      (Pointing  to  battle  axe 
on  the  wall.) 
None  can  lift  his  battle  axe. 
Second  Pil.     The  devil!    Then  that  fellow  on  the 
wharf, 
That  handsome  lad  we  saw  jump  from  his 

skiff 
And  ask  the  Moors  and  Genoese  the  way 
To  the  princess'  palace — he  is  taking  chances ! 
Third  Pil.     He  bellowed  out  like  a  madman  that 
not  even 
Beelzebub  could  keep  him  from  his  goal. 
I  wouldn't  waste  much  sympathy  on  him. 
{For  a  moment  in  the  gallery  the  knight  has 
reappeared.     At   the  last  word  he  makes 
a  movement  and  goes  away  quickly.     The 
pilgrims  turn  at  the  sound.) 
First  Pil.     H'm!     Overheard  us! 
Second  Pil.  Goes  to  give  some  order, 

To  keep  our  unknown  friend  from  getting 
in. 
First  Pil.     {To  Second  Pil.)     Old  idiot!     You 

always  talk  too  much! 
Third  Pil.     Nonsense!    The  gay  young  blade  was 
on  his  way 
To  the  Genoan  leader's  house  to  change  his 

clothes. 
So  don't  you  worry  about  him.     If  danger 
Lurks  for  him  anywhere  you  may  be  sure 
That   sharp-nosed    rogue,   Squarciafico,   will 
warn  him. 


34  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

He'll  put  him  wise.    You  know  Squarciafico 
Fears  Manuel  and  hates  him  for  a  reason. 
He's  looking  for  a  candidate,  they  say — 
First  Pil.  Shut  up! 

I  hear  the  sound  of  lute  and  violin. 
The  lady  comes  who  gave  us  welcome.  Hush ! 

Scene  II 
The  former.     Sorismonde,  then  MeVissinde. 

Sorismonde,  appearing  at  the  top  of  the  stair- 
way  before  the  closed  door  of  gold. 

SoRis.     Pilgrims,  enroute  for  France,  the  princess 
knows 
Of  your  arrival  here,  and  graciously 
Extends  through  me  her  thanks  that,  on  your 

way 
From  Tyre  or  Antioch,  you  come  to  see  her. 
First   Pil.     She  casts   a  charm   about  our  weary 

journey. 
SoRis.     She's  not  indifferent  to  your  courtesy, 

And  generously  will  grant  to  you  her  pres- 
ence. 

{One  hears  the  tinkle  of  a  bell.) 

The  mass  is  ended,  and  the  Princess  comes. 
A  Herald     The  Princess! 

{The  doors  open.  Melissinde  appears,  wear- 
ing a  heavy  cloak,  loaded  with  jewels  of 
all  sorts,  her  forehead  bound  with  a  circlet 
of  pearls.  Around  her  young  boys  carry- 
ing sheaves  of  fleur-de-lis.) 


ACT  ir  35 

First  Pil.  It  is  she! 

Second  Pil.  What  wondrous  beauty! 

Third  Pil.     In  pearls  of  Ind  and  fleur-de-lis  she 

comes ! 
Fourth  Pil.     The  tales  they  tell  of  her  are  true; 
for  she 
Outshines  the  lilies  and   the   Indian  pearls. 
First   Pil.     Such    Helen   was   when   the   ancients 

talked  of  her. 
Melis.      {From  the  top  of  the  steps.) 

Oh    happy    men,    you're    on  your  way   to 

France ! 
Soon    from    the    blue    haze   your    advancing 

boat 
Will  see  Provence  emerge.     I  envy  you. 
Alas!    I  am  as  these  flowers,  born  beneath 
A  sky  that  is  not  theirs.     Your  native  soil 
Will  welcome  you  again,  the  soil  I  love 
Yet  never  knew,  perchance  shall  never  see. 

{She  has  descended  the  steps  and  now  stands 
among  the  Pilgrims.) 

You  bear  the  Christian's  palm,  be  pleased  to 

bear 
Also  the  fragile  flower  that  speaks  of  France, 

{She  has  taken  some  of  the  lilies  from  the 
children  and  distributes  them  to  the  pil- 
grims. ) 

In  memory  of  your  alien  country-woman. 
First    Pil.     The   palm    is   symbol   of   our   desert 
journey, 
The  lily  of  the  oasis — and  you. 


36  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Third  Pil.     Princess  of  light  and  loveliness,  adieu! 
Melis.     Adieu !    Ye  men  of  France,  remember  me. 

{The  Pilgrims  pass  on.  One  hears  their  re- 
treating footsteps.  The  boys  place  fresh 
lilies  on  the  flagstones  and  on  a  table.) 

{Voices  of  the  pilgrims.) 

Melissinde,  lily  of  France,  hail  and  farewell! 

{The  children  go  out.  Melissinde  waves 
farewell;  a  song  is  heard  dying  in  the  dis- 
tance.) 

Scene  III 

Melissinde,  Sorismonde 

Boris.     What  friendly  condescension!     You  were 
good 
More  prettily  than  ever,  O  divine  one. 
Melis.     And  you  know  very  well  the  reason  for  it ; 
I'm  good  sometimes  because  I'm  bored,  that's 
all. 

{Unclasps  her  cloak  nervously.) 

Embroidered  mantle,  starred   and  gemmed, 

you  crush  me 
With  your  gay  topaz,  your  chalcedony, 
Your  green  vesuvianite,  jasper  and  beryl. 
And   Syrian  garnets,  all  your  silly  stones. 
Rich  nothings,  burden  under  which  I  stag 

ger. 
O  sumptuous  mantle,  you  are  but  the  emb- 
lem 
Of  another  which  I  bear  that  none  can  see. 


ACT  II  37 

It  weighs  me  yet  {lets  cloak  glide  to  the 
floor)   even  when  I  let  it  fall. 

{She  stand  r'obed  in  zvhite.  Sorismonde  picks 
up  cape.  Melissinde  hands  her  the  crown 
also.) 

Take  my  pearls  also — all  of  my  disguise. 

{Puts  lilies  in  her  hair  and  dress.) 

Now  I  shall  be  myself.  These  dewy  dar- 
lings— 

{Throw  herself  on  sofa.) 

Ah,  you  know  well  I'm  good  because  I'm 
bored. 

{A  pause.) 

Yet  was  it  boredom  made  me  good  ?    No,  no ! 

'Twas  selfishness  that  made  me  give  the  pil- 
grims 

Those  lilies — with  a  pretty  speech  thrown  in. 
SoRis.     What  could  you  hope  to  get  from  them? 
Melis.  a  song. 

One  of  those  wandering  wights  it  was  who 
told 

Of  Jeffrey  Rudel  and  his  love  for  me. 

This  most  unheard  of,  most  miraculous  love. 

Yes,  I've  a  poet  of  my  own  in  France, 

Who  has  begun  to  love  me  so  they  say; 

A  real  romance,  and  you  may  know  it  pleases 

My  isolated  heart,  by  grandeur  barred 

From  common,  human  joys.  These  men  have 
gone 


38  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

To  France  to  tell  of  me,  m)^  eyes,  my  fore- 
head, 
My  hair,  my  voice;    they'll  set  the  young 
men  dreaming. 
SoRis,     And    Rudel    too.      So    that's    the   state   of 

things! 
MiiLis.     Rudel  will  know,  perhaps.    And  that's  the 
way 
That  my  poor  exiled  soul  knows  to  conduct 
A  correspondence  with  my  absent  lover. 
SoRis.     How  very  chaste  and  proper! 
Me  LIS.  Yet,  'twill  stir 

Perchance  his  poet  fancy ;  he  shall  love  me 

more, 
My  pride  demands  it.     That  is  why  I  wel- 
comed 
These  pilgrim  folk.     A  sordid  kind  of  good- 
ness; 
Yet  there's  some  joy  in  notoriety. 
SoRis.     Dreaming  vain  dreams  again.     For  me  I'd 
love 
Jeffrey  Rudel — if  he  would  come  to  woo  me. 
Melis.     I  love  his  love,  his  poetry,  his  soul! 
Sorts.     That's  beyond  me.     If  by  some  clever  trick 
Of  a  magician,  or  a  sorcerer's  ring, 
You'd  fetch  him — I'd  like  to  know  what  he 
looks  like. 
Melis.     You  want  the  goods. 

SoRis.  I  know  I  don't  want  dreams. 

Haven't    j^ou    somewhere    among    all    your 

rings — 
But  you're  so  fond  of  chasing  phantasies! 
Melis.     Yes,   in   my   spacious   gardens,   when   the 
moon 


ACT  II  39 

Shines  palely,  and  I  hear  the  langorous  breeze 
JVIurmur  among  the  myrtles,  then  I  go 
Drifting    at    will    upon    some    star-washed 

wave, 
Singing  his  verses  to  the  sound  of  lutes. 
In  the  inclosures  of  this  palace  I 
Give  way  to  melancholy  thoughts — or  wan- 
der 
Among  the  perfume  of  these  lilied  paths. 
Dreams  open  up  to  me  their  labyrinths, 

0  misty  labyrinths  in  which  I  lose 

All  sense  of  the  real.     Reason  goes  to  sleep 
To  the  eternal  murmur  of  my  fountains. 
SoRis.     We   need   some   cavaliers   with   spurs   and 
helmets ; 
Only  your  suitor  keeps  them  at  a  distance. 

1  know  this  green-clad  one  is  here  to  guard 

you, 

Though  Manuel  denies  it.    You're  the  treas- 
ure, 
And  he's  the  dragon.     You  may  laugh.     I 

know. 
Since  he  sticks  round  no  one  has  dared  to 
knock. 
Melis.      {Laughing.)     You  make  a  scare-crow  of 

him. 
SoRis.  Manuel 

Is  jealous 
Melis.  Does  he  care  so  much  as  that? 

SoRlS.      {Seating    herself    on    the    cushions    at    her 
feet.) 
You  really  mean  to  marry  this  Comenius? 
Melis.     Why  not?     A  husband's  not  a  lover. 


40  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Sorts.  But 

Suppose  you  should  discover  that  he  bores 
you? 
Melis.     He  does — imperially. 
SoRis.  He's  not  for  you, 

This — Turk.      How   could   he   ever   under- 
stand you? 
Melis.     Sorismonde,  none  can  understand  me  less. 
That's  why  I  marry  him.     I  told  him  one 

day 
That  I  was  sad.    He  laughed.    Well,  I  shall 

find 
As  other  women  have,  a  satisfaction 
In  the  irony  of  our  discordant  souls. 
Who'd  be  more  suitable  than  Manuel 
To  keep  me  for  my  incorporeal  lover? 
SoRis.     Suppose  sometime  the  real  lover  comes? 
Melis.     He  won't.    The  ideal  one  keeps  him  away. 
Sorts.     No  guardian  angel,  but  a  guardian  lover? 
Melis.     When  walking  on  the  shore  at  eventide 

He  comes  to  me  upon  the  wings  of  dreams! 
Sorts.     You  owe  this  poet  nothing. 
Melis.  Yes,  I  owe 

To  him  my  pride,  my  hidden  griefs,  my  love 

of  twilight. 
My  tremblings,  and   the  tears  that  fill  my 

eyes; 
All  that  is  noble  in  me — and  unhappy. 
His  is  the  very  whiteness  of  my  robe ; 
Why,  in  some  sense,  I  owe  to  him  my  soul. 
Soris.      {Shaking  her  head.)     You  should  be  grate- 
ful to  him!     How  I  hate 
This   love! 


ACT  II  41 

Melis.     Why,  so  do  I  at  times.    How  warm 

It  is!    A  storm  is  in  the  air.     I  smother. 

{Sorismonde  is  about  to  remove  the  lilies  on 
the  table.) 

No,  leave  them,  they  are  mine,  all  mine. 
SoRis.  You  live 

Too  much  among  the  lilies.    They  are  white 
And   pure  and   proud ;    but  they  upset  the 
nerves. 
Melis.     You  may  be  right.     Strange  flowers  are 
the  lilies, 
And  treacherous,  though  they  look  like  angel 

sceptres. 
The  luminous  fingers  of  the  seraphim 
Must  be  their  thyrses.     But  too  fine  and 

strong, 
Too  subtly  sweet  their  perfume  is.    Perhaps 

(She  takes  the  sheaf  and  looks  at  it  long.) 

You're  right,  and  there  is  evil  in  these  lilies; 
To  touch  their  whiteness  makes  me  restless; 

baneful 
The  counsel  of  their  solitary  pride. 
Better  the  sunlit  laughter  of  the  roses. 

(She  smells  the  lilies.) 

Ah,  this  perfume!     Does  it  instil  in  me 
Perversity  with  its  so  mystic  sweetness? 

{With  a  forced  frivolity.) 


42  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

So  be  it!     Let  us  live.     Amuse  ourselves 
With  trifles.     I  would  see  the  Genoese, 
Squarciafico  the  merchant ;  yes,  I  will 
Regale  myself  with  all  his  trinkets,  all 
His  dainty  silks,   and  waste  the  long  days 

choosing 
His  vague  wan  colors  and  his  strange  designs 
For  robes  and  cushions. 

{She  seats  herself  among  the  cushions  of  the 

divan.) 
SoRis.  This  shrewd  Genoese 

May   furnish   you    amusement.      You    don't 

see 
Distracted  as  you  are,  how  much  he  cheats 

you. 
Then    gloats    and    boasts    about    it    to    his 

friends, 
The  other  merchant  pirates.     Royal  artists 
Lend   themselves  well   to  thieves   like  him. 

That's  why 
These  Genoans  will  hate  to  lose  you,  prin- 
cess. 
With  your  closed  eyes  and  hands  wide  open. 

They 
Would   stop   your   marriage   if   they   could. 
They  know 

That  Manuel  won't  make  a  generous  master. 
A  Maid  { entering.) 
The  Knight  of  the  Green  Arms  awaits  your 

leave 
To  come  to  take — 
Melis.      (Shrugs  her  shoulders.)     He  has  it.     Let 

him  come. 


ACT  II  43 

Scene  IV 

Melissinde,  Sorisimonde,  the  Knight  with 
THE  Green  Armor 

Knight.  {He  has  a  preoccupied  air  and  glances 
often  toward  the  gallery  or  toward  win- 
dow.) 

Pardon  me,  princess,  if  I  seem  in  haste 

To  hear  your  orders.    May  God  guard  Your 
Highness! 
Melis.     I  thought  that  was  your  business. 
Knight  Oh,  madame — 

Melis.     So  you  deny  it?    Then  I  may  go  rowing? 
Knight     As  you  desire. 
Melis.  My  barque  of  state  is  ready? 

There  are  musicians? 
Knight  Always. 

Melis.     (Rising.)  Then  I'll  go 

At  once.     {To  Sorismonde.)     Get  me  a  veil. 
Knight  Well,  not  so  fast. 

I  grieve  to  say  it,  madam,  but  we  must 

Delay  this  outing. 
Melis.  So?     What  may  that  mean? 

Knight     Oh,   not  for  long — 'till  evening. 
Melis.  Then  it's  true! 

Knight     Alas,  I'm  liegeman  to  the  Emperor. 

A  great  oath  binds  me.     This  morning  I  in- 
crease— 
Melis.     Oh,  why? 
Knight  I've  placed  my  soldiers,  pardon  me. 

At  the  palace  gates.     I  stand  at  the  chief 
entrance. 
Melis,     Then  I'm  a  prisoner! 


44  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

SoRis.      {At  the  window.)     Heavens!  At  the  doors 

Everywhere,  armed  slaves! 
Melis.  And  my  own  people? 

Knight     Imprisoned  by  me  for  an  hour.     More- 
over, 
Since  I  am  here  you  can't  get  word  to  them. 
Melis.     Beautiful!      I'm   the   enchanted    princess, 
now! 
Sorismondc,    really    this    is    almost    funny! 
We're  making  romance,  dearest,  on  the  spot. 
But  what's  the  reason  for  all  this  ?    Explain ! 
Knight     {Bowing.)      One   must   be   silent.      {Is 
about  to  go,  then  returns.)     I  almost  for- 
got. 
There  is  a  merchant  here,  a  money  lender, 
A  wily  Genoan,  a  Jew  of  Jews — 
Melis.     Squarciafico? 
Knight  And  if  it  be  your  pleasure 

He'll  enter  now  to  show  his  merchandise. 
Melis.     Indeed?     You  deign  to  give  me  so  much 

freedom? 
Knight     You   may   receive   him   in   my   presence, 

lady. 
SoRis.     'Twould  be  right  nice  to  be  the  Emperor's 

wife ! 
Melis.     But  I  don't  see  the  meaning — 

Scene  V 

Mclissinde,  Sorisnionde,  Squarciafico  followed  by 
his  valet  Nicholose  ivho  carries  bales  of  merchandise. 
The  Knight  of  the  Green  Armor,  his  arms  crossed, 
stands  in  the  doorway.  Squarciafico  {obsequious, 
animated,  voluble,  always  watching  the  knight  out 
of  the  corner  of  his  eye.) 


ACT  II  45 

O  most  beauteous, 
She   wears   the   dimpling  smiles   of   all   the 
Cupids! 

{To  his  valet  who  opens  the  bags.) 

Nicholose,  show  the  goods.     A  fine  choice, 
Princess. 
Melis.     Richer  than  ever  I  suppose? 
Squar.  Good  Lord! 

And  me  so  poor! 
Melis.  Old  liar!    You're  all  rich 

You  Genoese.    You  came  to  Palestine 
For  gain  alone,  and  on  your  breasts  you  bear 
Instead  of  the  cross  the  dollar  sign.    Oh,  fie ! 
Enrich  yourselves  by  the  Crusade! 
Squar.  The  glory 

Is  for  the  French, 
Melis.  For  Genoa  the  profit! 

Squar.     No.     Things  go  wrong  in  spite  of  good 
St.  George 
Our    patron.      There    are    snares    on   every 

hand. 
They  fleece  us,  cut  our  throats,  close  up  our 

mills 
And     forges.      {Wheedling.)       Won't   you 
recompense  us,  lady? 
Melis.     We'll  see. 

Squar.      {Showing  Bags.)     These  bags  are  full  of 
lovely  perfumes. 

{Unrolling  rugs.) 

Behold  a  Persian  rug.     {Caressing  the  rug.) 
At  Ascalon 


46  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

They  give  the  Genoese,  to  shield  their  com- 
merce 
Each  year,  a  hundred  besants.    Nice  of  them! 
(Cojolinf/.)      Couldn't  you   do  as  much   in 
Tripoli  ? 
Melis.     Well,  we  shall  see, 
Squar.      {Shoivi/iff    casket.)      Don't    3^ou    admire 

this? 
Melis.     I  do,  indeed. 

Squar.      (On    his    knees    before    her    unpacking.) 
Gold  tissue  of  Moussoul ; 
The   choicest   pearls   the   Persian   Gulf   can 

give; 
Here's   myrrh    from   Araby    the    Blest,    and 

ivory 
From  Ethiopia.      (Low.)      Hush,  I  have  a 

secret ! 
Listen.   (Melissinde  starts.    Aloud.)     Hand- 
some brocades! 
(Low.)  A  young  man  prowls — 

(Aloud,    causing    the   goods    to    billow    and 

shinnner.) 
Exquisite    shades!       (Low.)       He     prowls 
around  the  palace. 
Melis.      (Aside.)      I  understand! 
Squar.      (Aloud.)  These  gums  of  Araby — 

(Low.)      And    they   won't    let    him    enter. 
(Aloud.)     Amber,  smell  it. 
(Low.)     He  wants  to  speak  to  you. 

(Loud.)     A  Tyrian  satin. 

Melis.      (Low.)     His  name? 

Squar.      (Low.)     Don't  know.    A  poet,  I  believe. 

Melis.      (Utters  a  faint  cry,  then  collects  herself.) 

This  lovely  purple  cloth!    I  could  just  eat  it. 


ACT  II  47 

Squar.      (Loiu.)     Couldn't  you  manage  now  to  let 

him  in? 
Melis.     No. 
Squar.      (Aloud.)      Egyptian  linen.      Feel.     Isn't 

it  soft? 
Mei.is.      (Lozu.)     Where  does  he  come  from? 
Squar.      (Loiu.)       France,  of  course.  Just  landed. 
Pretty  as  a  Greek  shepherd,  prouder  than  a 

prince. 
Now,   is  that    {nodding  in  the  direction   of 
the   Knight)    going  to   stick   around   for- 


ever 


{Aloud.)    Spices  from  Kish-Ben-Omira. 
Melis.      {Low.)  He  stays 

Like  the  old  dragon  in  the  myths. 
Squar.  Here's  incense 

Bought   at  a  good   price   from   the   king  of 

Axieme. 
{Low.)     This  young  man  tells  me  he  has 

pressing  business. 
And  that  to  see  j  ou  he  could  fight  a  hundred. 
Melis.     {Lozv.)     And  then? 
Squar.      {Aloud.)     Calamus!      {Low.)      If  when 
he  blows  his  horn 
No  one  responds,  he'll  try  to  force  his  way. 
{Aloud.)     Balm  of  Arabia.    Powerful.  Will 

stop 
The  bleeding  from  a  wound.     And  here  we 

have 
A  bag  of  fine  white  filberts  from  Provence. 
Melis.     Good!     Leave  your  goods.    I'll  buy  them 
all.    Get  out! 
{Aside.)     I  fancy  I  can  hear  outside — 
Squar.      {Refolding  goods.)  Some  choice 


48  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Brocades   will   come   in   the   next   shipment. 

Yes, 
I'm  going.     {Cajoling.)     You  will  stop  the 
heavy  tolls? 
Melis.     Yes,  yes. 

Squar.     (Low.)      Handsome  as   Paris.     Dazzled 
me. 
{Wheedling.)     The  subsidies — you'll  see  we 
get  them? 
Squar.      {To  himself.)     I'm  pretty  shrewd  to  plead 
the  fellow's  cause. 
He!  he!  if  I  can  just  make  Manuel  sweat! 

{Turns  on  the  threshold  and  salutes.) 
A  hundred  gold  besants  in  annual  credit! 
{Goes.     The  knight  follows  him.) 

Scene  VI 

{Melissinde,  Sorismonde,  then  the  Knight  in 
the  Green  Armor.) 

Melis.  {To  Sorismonde.)  Have  you  heard  all? 
{Sorismonde  gives  sign  of  assent.)  A  young 
man,  and  a  poet! 

SoRis.     Oh  but  you  were  excited  I 

Melis.  I?    Excited? 

Sorts.      {Maliciously.)     Still  bored? 

Melis.  Why  not?  {Throws  herself  on  the  di- 
van.)    You're  talking  foolishness. 

{One  hears  the  sound  of  a  horn  in  the  dis- 
tance.) 


ACT  II  49 

The  horn! 
SoRis.      {At  the  window.)     That's  he!     I  see  him. 
To  announce 
Himself,  he  toots  the  horn. 
Melis.      {Stretched  out  at  full  length j  with  indif- 
ference.)     And  what  of  that? 
SoRis.     He's  stunning-looking! 
Melis.      {Shrugs  her  shoulders.)     You  can't  even 

see  him. 
SoRis.     Do  too.     He  calls.     Ah,  now  he's  at  the 

door. 
Melis.     What's  that  to  hie?     {A  pause.)     What 

is  he  doing  now? 
SoRis.     He's  held  up  by  the  Emperor's  men. 
Melis.  Poor  chap! 

And  is  he  running? 
SoRis.  Fighting! 

Melis.      {Who    has    raised    up    on    her    elbows.) 

Really! 
SoRis.     He  sends  'em  tumbling  right  and  left.    He's 
passed  'em! 
Mother  of  God,  he's  reached  the  second  en- 
trance. 
He  fights! 
Melis.      {Rising.)     What  are  you  saying? 
SoRis.  What  a  leap! 

{The  horn  sounds   nearer.)    D'ye  hear   the 
horn? 
Melis.      {Standing.)  Like  Roland. 

SoRis.  He  will  pass! 

He's  going  to  get  there ! 
Melis.      {At  the  window  behind  her.)      He's  al- 
ready past  them.  ' 
SoRis.     He  falls! 


50  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Melis.     He  rises! 

SoRis.  Ah,  his  lance  is  broken! 

AIelis.     He  draws  his  sword!     Ah!     {Recoils.) 
SoRis.  What's  the  matter  with  you? 

Melis.     His   ejes!      I   saw   his   eyes.      He   looked 
right  up 

And  saw  me. 
Boris.  That  is  nice.     Throw  him  your  sleeve, 

The  way  they  do  in  the  tournament. 
Melis.      {In    the   window,    tearing    off    her   sleeve 
luhich  she  holds  high.)      Young  man 

Strike  hard!     1  throw  you  my  white  sleeve. 

Bring  it  back  red. 
Voice  of  Bert.  I  swear  it  to  you,  lady. 

{Turn lilt   and   clash    of   szuords.      Then    si- 
lence.) 
Melis.      {Coming  down  stage.)      He  has  entered. 

{Sorisnionde    closes    the    window.     Silence.) 
All  is  still.    Why  should  he  wish 

To  see  me? 
SoRlS.      {Pointing  in  the  direction  of  the  gallery.) 

Look! 

{A  slave  enters  the  gallery  covered  with 
blood,  a  sword  in  his  hand,  garments  in 
rags.    He  speaks  low  to  the  knight.) 

Knight  Good ! 

{He  takes  his  battle  axe  and  with  calm 
courtesy  to  Melissinde.) 

Madam,  you  permit 
I  close  this  door  an   instant? 

{He  closes  it.  One  hears  the  sound  of  bolts.) 


ACT  II  51 

Melis.  What  will  happen? 

I'm  dead  with  fright. 

(Noises    of   people   approaching   within    the 
palace. ) 

He  comes!    The  Knight  is  there; 
He'll   kill   him   with   that   axe.     The   poor 

young  boy 
Will  have  no  chance  against  that  beast. 

{Tumult  of  steps  behind  the  door.     Clash  of 
swords. ) 

They're  at  it! 
Oh   will   it   never  end!     They   fight!   they 

trample ! 
{A  dull  thud  is  heard.)     Oh,  what  a  stroke! 
(No  further  sound  is   heard.      Then   the 
door  opens.     She  steps  back.) 

The  door  is  open! 

(Bertrand  appears  on   the  threshold,  sword 

in  hand,  wounded  in  the  forehead;  throws 

dozun    the   bloody    sleeve   at   Melissinde's 

feet.) 

Melis.      (Still  receding.)  Sir, 

What  would  you  say  to  me? 
Bert.  Some  verses,  lady. 

Scene  VII 

Melissinde,  Bertrand,  Sorismonde 

Bert.      (Kneeling.)     It  is  a  common  thing 
To  breathe  a  sigh  for  one 
With  tresses  blonde  or  dark,  or  ruddy  like 
th?  sun. 


52  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

If  it  be  ask  and  have, 

Who  for  such  love  would  stay  ? 

Rather  I  love  the  Princess  Far-A\> 

Faith  cannot  last  for  long, 

There  is  an  end  to  bliss 

When  one  a  garment's  hem  too  oft  r 

In  the  hand  much  caressed 

What  beauty  dwells,  I  pray? 

For  me,  I  love  the  Princess  Far-A 

Melis.      (Continuing.) 

The  thing  o'er  all  supreme 

Is  all  unloved  to  love. 

Nor  ask  return,  true  as  the  stars  ; 

A  love  uncertain,  mine! 

All  the  more  brave  and  gay. 

Because  I  love  the  Princess  Far-Aw 

For  'tis  a  thing  divine, 
I  cannot  deem  it  vain 
The  thing  one  dreams,  imagines,  se( 
pain. 

Were  there  no  dreams 

Life  would  be  dull  and  grey; 

I  love  remote,  unseen  the  Princess  Fa 

Bert.     You  know  these  verses? 

Melis.  Many  minstrels  sir 

Bert.     Do  you  know  whose  they  are? 


ACT  II  53 

Melis.  Jeffrey  Rudel's. 

Bert.     Then  this  strange  love  has  reached — 
Melis.  Tell  me  of  him ! 

Bert.     You  know  his  fervent  zeal,  his  deep  devo- 
tion? 
Melis.     I  love  this  love!    So  oft  at  eventide, 

When    watching    lonely    on    some  moonlit 

shore. 
His  love  spoke  to  me  in  the  lapping  wave. 
In  the  blue  dawn  of  fleeing  day  I  felt 
The  soul  of  this  love  near  me. 
Bert.      {Fainting.)  Heavens!   I — 

Melis.      {Bending  over  him.)     You're  happy? 
Bert.  Very  happy,  because  he — 

The  loss  of  blood, — I — 
Melis.  Sorismonde!     He  swoons! 

SoRis.      {Rushing  up.)     Wait,  lay  him  here. 

{They  lay  Bcrtrand  among  the  cushions.) 
Melis.  Hurry,  run  get  some  water. 

A  pitcher.    Quickly!    Give  it  here, 

SoRlS.      {Kneeling  beside  Melissinde  by  the  side  of 

Bertrand.)  He's  pale, 

And   handsome   as  a  young  Olj^mpian   god. 

Melis.     His  forehead  bleeds.     Some  linen!    Wait, 

I  have  it.      {Tears  off  sleeve.) 
SoRis.     What  are  you  doing? 

Melis.  Nothing.     Does  his  heart 

Still  beat?    Bring  that  Arabian  balm.   They 

say 
It's  Avonderful  for  wounds.    Ah,  do  be  care- 
ful. 
He's  coming  to.  Don't  spot  his  ermine  cloak. 
He  must  go  back  to  the  prince — not  right 
away. 


54  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

He  wears  his  hair  like  a  noble  of  Provence. 

The  faintest  red  is  showing  in  his  cheek. 

He    breathes,    his    eyelids    tremble,    his    lips 
move. 

He's  pressing  my  hand  in  his! 
SoRis.  That's  going  some! 

Melis.     His  eyes  are  half  way  open.     Open  wide! 
Bert.      {Opening  his  eyes  and  seeing  her.) 

I  dreamed  that  I  was  Flor,  she  Blancheflor. 

I  guess  those  villains  killed  me,  and  I'm  now 

In  Paradise. 
Melis.      {To  Sorismonde.)     Do  you  hear  that? 
SoRis.  I  told  you 

It's  going  some. 
Bert.      {His  head  on  Melissinde's  arm  from  which 
the  sleeve  has  been  torn  away.)      I  don't 
seem  to  remember. 

I'm      dizzy — and — this     arm     against     my 
cheek — 

{Melissinde  starts.)     No,  leave  it  there. 
Melis.  I  will. 

Bert.  O  burning  coolness 

Of  this  strange  arm,  this  delicate,  bare  arm — 
Melis.      {Withdrawing  her  arm  quickly.) 

Why  so  it  is — it's  bare! 
Bert.      {Raising  up.)  But  who  are  you? 

Melis.     That   you    know  well.     You   had   some- 
thing to  tell  me. 

You  fainted. 
Bert.      {Recoiling.)     Surely  you  are  not  the  Prin- 
cess? 
Melis.      {Smiling.)     Surely  I  am. 
Bert.  But  then  you — you  the  Princess! 

My  message!    Woe  is  me!    Ah,  I  must  go 


ACT  II  55 

At  once.     (Tries  to  riscj  staggers.) 

Open  that  window.  Look !  I  cannot. 
{Melissinde  opens  the  window  at  the  back.) 
What  do  you  see? 

Melis.  a  terraced  lawn,  with  flowers. 

Bert.     And  then? 

Melis.     The  sea. 

Bert.  And  on  the  sea?    O  God! 

I  dare  not  look.  Do  you  see  a  ship  of  France? 

Melis.     A  little  boat  at  anchor  far  away. 

How  strange  I  did  not  see  it  yesterday. 

Bert.     And  on  the  topmost  mast — there  flies — 

Melis.  The  swallows. 

Bert.     Not  a  black  flag? 

Melis.  White,  fluttering  wings  of  birds! 

Bert.     Then  there   is  time.     Oh,  madam,   let  us 
hasten! 
Mother  of  God,  that  hearest  prayer,  prolong 
His  life  that  he  may  see  her  ere  he  dies. 
And  having  seen  her  he  will  die  so  happy! 

Melis.     Sorismonde,  in  his  eyes,  despairing  tears. 

Bert.  He'll  die  so  happy  if  he  could  but  see  her! 
She  is  his  flower  of  flowers,  his  star  of  stars. 
His  dream  will  be  surpassed,  his  sufferings 
And  all  the  bitter  memories  forgotten.     {To 

Melissinde.) 
They  could  not  bring  him  hither  sick  and  bed 

rid; 
But  when  you  see  him  thus  do  not  recoil, 
Do  not  become  the  Princess  Far-Away. 
Orient  Princess,  with  a  name  like  honey, 
While  he  yet  lives,  give  to  the  gentle  Prince 
A  taste  of  heaven's  joy.     So  shall  his  death 


56  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

Be   sweet   upon   that   racked   and   wretched 
ship. 
Melis.     Of  whom  then  do  you  speak? 
Bert.  Of  Jeffrey  Rudel. 

He  whose  last  hour  is  near.    Whom  you  pre- 
tend 
To  love.     Oh,  he  is  dying!     Haste!     I've 
promised — 
Melis.     But  you  then,  sir,  who  are  you? 
Bert.  I  am  Bertrand, 

Bertrand    of    Allamanon,    his    best    friend. 
Come  quickly. 
Melis.     No! 

Curtain. 


Act  III 

Settmg  the  same  as  in  Act  II.  At  the  rear 
the  window  is  open.  It  is  afternoon  hot 
and  dazzling.  The  flag  stones  are  strewn, 
not  with  fleur-de-lis,  but  with  red  roses. 

Scene  I 

Bertrand  and  Sorismonde 

I've  given  her  your  message.     She  refuses 
To   see   you.      She   may   change   her   mind. 

Cheer  up! 
Time  presses. 

(Nods  assent,  goes  up  toward  the  window.) 
What  a  lark!     (Looks  out.) 

The  flag — 
Is  white 
Upon  the  mast.     But  on  the  wharf  nearby 
In  deep,  dark  grief  the  Green  Knight's  re- 
tinue 
Are  getting  ready  to  leave.    Why,  even  now 
The  great  oars  of  their  galley  beat  the  water. 
And  when  they  get  into  Byzantium, 
Carrying  the  bloody  body  of  the  knight, 
My,  won't  the  emperor  be  mad! 

(Lost  in  revery.)  They  grew 

So  hard  all  of  a  sudden  those  soft  eyes. 
And  she  refused  to  go.     (To  Sorismonde.) 
Why  did  she? 

(With  a  vague  gesture.)     Ah! 
Why  this  refusal?    Tell  me. 
(Seeing  the  golden  door  open.)    Here  she 
comes. 

57 


58  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Bert.     Tell  her  I  beg  of  you — 
SORIS.      {Sending  hini  away  into  the  gallery.)  Hist! 
Go  in  there! 

{Melissinde  appears,  and  siffhing,  slowly  de- 
scends the  stairway.) 

Scene  H 

Melissinde,  Sorismonde 

Melis.     Sorismonde,  girl,  come  near  me.    Tell  me 
truly 
What  do  you  think  of  this? 
SoRiS.      {With  a  vague  gesture.)     Well — 
Melis.  Why  did  I 

Refuse  to  go?     Why  did  I  get  so  angry? 
It's  nervousness,  perhaps,  the  weather's  try- 
ing. 
Well,    I've  burned   many  candles,   said   my 

prayers ; 
Still,  had  I  any  reason  for  refusing? 
Did   it  seem   like  temper,   spite,   deception? 

No? 
Was  there  any  reason  why  I  acted  so? 
Sorts.     Oh,  you  know  very  well  there  was  a  reason. 
Melis.      {Terrified.)     Hush,  not  so  loud! 
SoRlS.      {Smiling,  after  a  pause.)     Cheer  up!     I've 
thought  it  through. 
That  chap  who  looked  so  splendid  in  your 

dreams 
Didn't  look  good  to  you  in  reality. 
You  couldn't  go  the  sight  of  haggard  eyes 
And  purple  lips,  and  lean  hands  moist  with 
fever. 


ACT  III  59 

You  wished  to  keep  that  fair  dream  memory, 
And  never  see  the  person  in  the  shroud. 

Melis.     Oh,  thank  you  Sorismonde,  that  was  the 
reason. 
The  only  reason  I  refused.     And  now 
You  may  bid  the  knight  of  Allamanon  enter. 

SoRiS.     Why,  you've  refused ! 

Melis.  I  know  I  did.    My  soul 

Is  tired  and  confused,  I  scarcely  know — 
Perhaps  I   ought  to  give  to  my  lord   Ber- 

trand 
A  chance  to  plead  once  more  for  his  dying 
friend. 

SoRis.     I  reckon! 

Melis     If  he  persists  he  may  be  able 

To  wake  me  from  my  egoistic  dream. 

{Sorismonde  ushers  in  Bertrandj  then  goes.) 
Scene  III 
Bertrand^  Melissinde 

Bert.     I  thank  you  that  you  have  permitted  me 

To  see  you  once  again.  The  white  flag  flies 
Still  on  the  mast.  He  lives,  and  all  my  duty 
Is  to  plead  for  him,  and  still  plead. 

Melis.      {Seated  among   the  cushions^  carelessly.) 
He  may  be  better  off  than  they  think. 

Bert.  I  do  implore  you 

Not  to  speak  thus.  I  know  God  only  grants 
These  fleeting  moments  of  his  forfeit  life 
That  I  may  win  you. 

Melis.  Plead! 


6o  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Bert.  I  was  so  stunned 

When  you   replied  with  your  harsh   "No." 

The  vision 
Seemed  to  depart  from  me.     Yet  you  were 

kind. 
It  seemed  the  trickery  of  a  cruel  dream; 
Except  that  from  your  floating  draperies 
Arose  an  odor  langorous  and  Moorish, 
Like  that  which  for  a  long  time  hung  o'er 

Tarsus 
When  Cleopatra  passed. 
Melis.      {Smiling  and  holding  out  her  wrist  from 
which    is   suspended  a   little   box   of   per- 
fumes.) It  was  this  kind. 
Amber,  with  just  a  touch  of  sandal  wood. 
Bert.      {Kneels,  and  kisses  her  hand.) 

Was  it  this  kind?     This,  with  a  touch  of 
you. 
Melis.     {Js  he  is  about  to  rise.) 

If  you  would  plead  remain  upon  your  knees. 
Bert.     How  can   I   plead  as  he  could  plead,  this 
great 
Sweet  spirit,  this  soul  sad  and  tender! 
And  the  marvellous  romance  of  his  love  for 

you — 
How  can  I  do  it  justice? 
Melis.  Pray,  go  on. 

You  love  him  then  so  much? 
Bert.  Admire  and  love  him. 

When  he  arrived  at  Aigues-Mortes  so  pale, 
Condemned  already  by  his  old  phj'sician. 
Knowing  he  steered  toward  the  port  of  death, 
This  dying  lover  of  an  unknown  queen 


ACT  III  6i 

dad  but  one  purpose, — live  till  he  had  seen 
her. 

[  loved  him  always,  entered  in  his  plans, 

tiis  dreams ;   became  his  brother,  his  disciple. 

Some  mocked  at  him  and  laughed,  but  as  for 
me 

[  followed  hither. 

I'm  so  glad  you  did! 

This  morning  at  the  dawning  he  repeated 

rhe  song  he  wrote  for  you. 

And  you  could  sing  it 

50  well  with  your  warm  voice ! 

He  talked  of  you 

Dften  at  night  when  I  watched  with  him. 

You 

Always  watched  with  him? 
{Ris'mg,  with  lyric  fervor.)     This  voyage, 
woman, 

[  would  I  could  describe  it.    How  he  longed 

[n  his  great  agony  to  see  you  smile ! 

Dften  we  thought,  tossed  on  the  heaving  sea, 

We    were   wanderers    forever.      Our    boat 
groaned 

And  rocked.     And  yet  the  sick  man  lived. 

Sustained  by  faith.     His  dream  won  the  al- 
legiance 

Of  the  rough  men.    There  was  a  calm  some- 
times, 

And  then  we  longed  to  land  at  the  first  port 

To  walk  upon  some  island  decked  with  flow- 
ers. 

But  he  refused ;  and  soon  the  oars  once  more 

Beat  the  rough  waves.    The  wind  became  a 
gale. 


62  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Still  we  rowed  on.    We  met  a  Turkish  boat, 
Fought  them,  passed  on.    Then,  to  crown  all 

our  woe. 
Came  famine.     Our  brave  men  became  as 

spectres, 
All  of  our  sails  were  rags,  our  masts  were 

broken, 
Rudel   was  dying,  hope  was  gone.     Then, 
land ! 
Melis.     To   think  you   had   to  weather   all  these 

dangers! 
Bert.      {Astonished.)     I? 

Melis.      {Struggliiig  to  restrain  herself.)     Yes  you 
— for  him.     Permit  me 
To  sense  the  beauty  of  this  sacrifice. 
Bert.     Madame! 

Melis.  You  are  so  modest  that  you  try 

To  hide  your  heart.    You  are  a  loyal  knight, 
A  matchless  friend.     I'll  go  to  him.     Com- 
mand 
That   they  prepare  my  galley.      I   will  go. 

{Movement  of  surprise  from  Bertrand.) 

To  him.    But  not  another  word.    O  God — 

{She  leaves,  as  in  anguish,  precipitately.) 

Scene  IV 

Bertrand,  then  Squarciafico 

Bert.     She'll  come ;    and  that  refusal  was  a  jest. 
Women    are   women    always,    even   toward 
those 


ACT  III  63 

On  whom  death  presses.     So  she  keeps  him 
waiting. 

{He  turns  toward  the  window.) 

Waiting  for  her  as  one  waits  for  an  angel, 
You  at  least  will  die  happy,  Jeffrey  Rudel. 
Squar.      {Who  has  entered  at  these  words.) 

What   do    I    hear?     Are  you   then   Jeffrey 
Rudel? 
Bert.     I  ? 
Squar.     Damn    the    luck!      My   plans    go    up    in 

smoke ! 
Bert.     Your  plans? 

Squar.  Yes,  when  I  saw  that  head  of  yours 

I  said  "That's  he.     Now  things  will  come 
our  way." 
Bert.     Our  way? 

Squar.  You  get  me!     I  said  to  myself 

"Now  here's  this  poet  whose  love  has  her 

crazy. 
He'll  make  short  business  of  her  guardian, 
And    marry    her    himself — this    fine    young 
sprig." 
Bert.     What  are  you  saying? 
Squar.  Just  so!    Manuel 

And  his  gang  hate  the  Genoans  and  Vene- 
tians. 
If  the  Venetians  got  the  upper  hand 
They'd  make  it  hot  for  us.     What  do  we 

want? 
Why,  nothing  but  to  ply  our  trade  in  peace. 
A  poet  for  a  king  would  suit  us  fine. 
We'd  ply  our  business  and  he'd  tend  to  his — 
Pe  making  verses,  we'd  be  making  money. 


64  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

The   plan    is   perfect:     on   the   thr 

lovers. 
We  merchants  would  as  soon — or 

manage 
The   government   for  them   and   sa 
trouble. 
Bert.     Fishing  in  troubled   waters! 
Squar.  Get  me,  dc 

But  now,  with  Rudel  dead,  the  thir 
His  voyage  was  a  waste  of  time. 
Bert. 

The  heroic  ventures  of  a  noble  sou 
Should  serve  some  purpose! 
Squar.  That  it  should, 

Bert.      {To  himself.)     Our  humble  sailo 
thought  of  that. 
But  he,  this  sordid  trafficker,  confint 
In  his  narrow  merchant  brain  the  so 
Utility,  dishonoring  our  great  quest. 
Father  Trophimus,  you  too  should  1 
This  man's  sharp  wits  and  calculati 
Squar.     To  think  that  scum-o-the  earth, 
peror  Manuel, 
Will  marry  her — 
Bert.      {Fiercely.)      He?  never! 
Squar.      {Aside.)  Hm! 

Bert.     I  swear  that  this  barbarian  never  sh 
Clasp   in  his  arms  that  rare  and 
creature! 
Squar.      {Aside.)      Perhaps  we'll  put  our 
on  foot  again. 
{Aloud.)     Poor  Rudel  died  too  sc 

{Bertrand  plunged  in  his  reflexions  i 


ACT  III  65 

seem    to    be    listening.      Squarciafico    ap- 
proaches.) 

She  would  have  married 
Him ;  yes,  undoubtedly ;  she  loves  the  poets 
And  the  French.     They  both  are  French — 

and  so  are  you. 
Then  this  long  voyage  would  have  had  re- 
sults ; — 
A  voyage,  which,  moreover,  was  yours  too. 
But  the  long  and  short  of  it  is  that  Rudel 

died. 
Well,  so  it  goes — that's  fate.    We  don't  last 

long. 
We    make    our    ventures — others    profit    by 

them. 
When  our  affairs  look  best  we  have  to  leave 

them, 
And  some  one  else  steps  in  and   reaps  the 
harvest. 
Bert.     That  mast!     If  I  must  see  the  black  flag 
floating, 
That  fearful  signal  of  his  death! 
Squar.  Say,  kid. 

You  speak  for  some  one  else,  a  dead  one,  and 
You  might  as  well  be  speaking  for  the  liv- 
ing. 
Bert.      (Turns    and    looks    at    him.      Squarciafico 
draws  back.) 
You  say — 
Squar.  Why,   nothing. 

Bert.      (Siezes  him  by  the  throat.)     Hound! 
Squar.      (Tearing  himself  away.)     Well,  I  admire 
The  way  you  thank  me  for  my  help,  young 
man! 
Bert.     I'd  like  to  crush  you! 


66  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Scene  V 

{The  same,  Melissinde,  Sorismonde,  Melis- 
sinde's  women  carrying  her  cloak,  diadem 
and  scepter.) 

Melis.  What  is  all  this  noise? 

Bert.      {To  Squarciafico.)     You  snake! 
Squar.     Well,  that  may  be.     But  he  who  tries 

To  crush  me,  will  be  sorry  for  it. 
Bert.  What 

Does  your  vile  sting  upon  my  heel  amount 
to? 
Squar.     Next  time  this  sting  will  strike  you — in 

the  heart! 
Melis.      {Advances  trembling.)     Do  you  insult  my 
guest,  you  shameless  scoundrel? 
Before  tomorrow  if  you  are  not  gone 
From  my  domain  you  shall  be  crucified. 
Squar.     Banished  from  Tripoli!    Why,  that  spells 
ruin! 
{To    Bertrand.)      For   you,   you'll   see!      I 

know  to  get  revenge. 
{As  he  goes  out.)      These  French  are   in- 
grates ! 
Melis.      {To  Bert.)  Do  you  see  I  banish 

This  man  to  please  you. 
Bert.  This  man  dared — this  man — 

Melis.     To  put  you  in  a  rage,  that's  evident. 

Come,  let  us  go  at  once.     See  if  my  galley 
Is  ready,  if  the  pilot — .     Go,  I  say. 

{Bertrand  looks  at  her  a  moment  as  if  be- 
wildered, then  goes  out  quickly.) 


ACT  III  67 

Scene  VI 
Melissinde,  Sorismonde,  the  Women 

Melis      {To  Sorismonde,  nervously.) 

My  diadem !     He's  never  seen  me  with  it. 

What  he  loves  in  me  is,  I  fear,  the  princess. 

So  I'll  appear  the  princess,  with  the  sceptre 

Clasped  in  my  fingers.     Give  it  here!     Alas, 

I  scarce  can  bear  me  up. 

{She  tries  to  put  on  her  cloak,  then  gives  it 
back  to  her  women.)  Take  it  away. 

These  jewels  and  this  glitter  weigh  me  down. 

When  we  arrive  I'll  put  it  on  again. 

{The  women  go  out  carrying  away  the  in- 
signia.    To  Sorismonde.)     Will  I  be  ex- 
pected to  close  his  eyes? 
SoRis.  The  sight 

Will  be  too  much  for  your  sick  nerves.    Just 
send  him 

Your  doctor,  or  confessor. 
Melis.  You  have  always 

A  most  convenient  way  to  fix  things  up. 

I  must  admit,  though,  that  I  hate  to  go. 

To  see  him  ghastly,  ready  for  the  tomb! 

I'd  rather  keep  the  living,  handsome  one. 
SoRiS.     Just  rid  yourself  of  this  fantastic  duty. 

Stay  here,  and  claim  your  liberty  of  soul. 

You  love  the  other  one — then  what  prevents 
you — 
Melis.     I  love  the  other,  ah,  'tis  true,  'tis  true! 
SoRis.     It  makes  you  sad,  and  I  am  just  delighted 

To  think  you've  wakened  from  your  dream 
to  life. 


68  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Melis.     The  sister  of  the  lilies,  then,  is  ready 

For  the  first  red-blooded  youth  that  speaks  to 
her? 

Sorts.     Nature  gets  even  with  us — bank  on  that! 

Melis.     Because  1  held  his  strong,  hard  hands  in 
mine, 
And  gave  them  back  their  warmth — 

SoRis.  Because  his  forehead 

Was  lovely  in  its  pallor — 

Melis.  No,  oh  no! 

It  wasn't  that, — oh  not  at  all!     It  was 
Because  I  took  him  for  Rudel.     Oh,  I 
Am  mad  to  say  it!     Love  deludes  me. 
As  soon  as  in  his  grave  and  tender  voice 
He  spoke  of  Jeffrey  Rudel,  all  my  heart 
Wished  he  were  Jeffrey — and  believed  the 
wish — 

SoRis.     That's  clear  to  me! 

Melis.  I  had  been  drunk  with  joy 

Once  on  a  time  to  learn  that  my  dream  poet 
Had   come   to   see   me.      Yet   when   he   did 

come. 
This  poor  unhappy  prince,  he  came  through 

danger. 
And    agony,    came    dying,    claiming    me    in 

death. 
I  hesitated,  shuddered,  would  not  go, — 
Because  he  chose  too  well  his  messenger. 

Sorts.     Well,  yes! 

Melts.     Chose  him  too  well,  you  understand. 
Why,  being  dark,  has  he  a  golden  voice? 
Why  is  he  proud,  with  gentle,  timid  eyes? 
Triumphant,  too:    yet  he's  irresolute — 
The  sweet  ir resoluteness  of  a  child. 


ACT  III  69 

SoRis.     You  love  him.     Isn't  that  enough?     Stay 

with  him. 
Melis.     You  cannot  understand.    As  you  regard  it 
All's  good,  or  all  is  bad.    Alas,  we  cannot 
Settle  all  cases  so.     There  are  confusions, 
And  hearts  divided  between  right  and  wrong. 
I  love  this  one  of  whom  I  dreamed  so  long. 
The  one  who  dies  for  me,   love  him — and 

pity; 
But  I  adore  the  other,  and  my  suffering 
Is  such  my  soul  seems  torn  in  two  between 
them. 
SoRis.     Make   your   appearance   on   the   boat,   and 

then — 
Melis.     What  your  keen  wit  will  not  devise!  How 
vile 
I'd  be  to  stoop  to  this  unworthy  ruse! 
See  Jeffrey  Rudel  die  within  my  arms. 
And   then    return,   with    Bertrand!      That's 

the  advice 
The  world  would   give.     Don't  think  that 

I  shall  buy 
My  happiness  with  common  compromise. 
I've  dreamed  a  love  sublime,  and  I  will  have 

it. 
If  'tis  not  so  by  nature,  will  a  crime 
Lend  grandeur  to  it? 
SoRis.  More  subtle  reasoning! 

Melis.     What  would  our  Bertrand  do  if  he  be- 
lieved 
I  loved  him? 
SoRis.  Now,  I  understand  you,  lady. 

Melis     My  worst  temptation ! 


70  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

SoRis.  Conquer  his  loyalty 

Break  his  resistance — 

Melis.  An  atrocious  victory 

'Tis  true.     What  woman  doesn't  like  to  trj 
Her  power!     We  ought  to  love  in  recom- 
pense 

The  one  we've  rendered  infamous,  consoling 
Ourselves  that  it  was  done  for  us. 
Men  speak  so  much  of  honor,  always  honor 
Well,  I  can  try  how  much  my  eyes  avail 
To  strike  it  in  the  dust,  to  stop  at  once 
The  march  triumphal  of  this  mighty  virtue' 
Delilah  strangled  with  one  golden  hair, 
A  hero.     Who  of  us  that  cannot  hold 
Orestes  in  our  arms,   while   Pylades 
Dies — 

Scene  VH 

Melissinde,  Bertrand 

Bert.     Your  boat  is  ready,  Princess;    decorated— 

The  rowers  in  their  seats — 
Melis.      {To   herself.)  Ghastly   temptation 

{Sorismonde  has  gone  out.) 

Bert.     Why  do  you  look  at  me  with  those  vagu' 
eyes, 

Nervously  toying  with  your  rings? 
Melis.  Perhap 

I  have  a  reason  for  not  going? 
Bert.  Tha 

You  have  not! 


ACT  III  71 

Melis.  Yet  I  hesitate,  I  tremble. 

Just  suppose  I  loved  some  one — 
Bert.      {Fiercely.)  You  don't  love  anybody! 

Melis.     You  may  say  that ;  alas,  you  do  not  know ! 

I  have  a  love  that  keeps  me  here. 
Bert.      (Leaping  forward.)  Another? 

Ah,  who?     I'll  kill  the  man! 
Melis.  Not  when  you  know 

His  name. 
Bert.      (Beside  himself  with  fury.)     Tell  me  his 

name! 
Melis.     {Coming  slowly  toward  him.)   Is't  neces- 
sary? 
Bert.      {Recoiling  ivith   horror.) 

No,  do  not  speak  his  name.     If  it  be  he, 

{Drawing  his  sword.)      Him  I  will  surely 
kill. 
Melis.  Strike,  and  you  strike  me,  too. 

Bert.      {Lets  fall  his  sword.) 

I,  most  disloyal  knight! 
Melis.  Your  honor's  safe. 

Bert.     No,  for  I've  tasted  joy. 
Melis.  And  I  am  proud 

Of  this  your  treason. 
Bert.  This  is  robbery 

Committed  on  a  dying  man.     Go  to  him! 

Your  heart  cannot  be  bad. 
Melis.  That's  why  I  do  not  go. 

For  if  I  go — I  tremble  lest  I  may 

Give  way  to  some  absurd  nobility — 

Can  I  defend  myself  against  my  feelings? 

I've   loved    him    long,    Bertrand,    remember 
that. 


72  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

He    was — I    know    it,    and    confess    with 

shame — 
The  better  part  of  me — and  you  the  worse. 
To  be  able  to  be  yours  I  dare  not  look 
In  Rudel's  eyes — I  cannot  go  to  him, 
Unless  3  ou  still  insist — 
Bert.  Ah,  what  can  I  ? 

I  will,  Rudel,  I  love  you  as  my  soul ! 
Don't  turn  your  eyes  away.     I  do  not  dare 
Look   through    that   window   out   upon    the 

sea. 
Melis.      {Goes  quickly  to  the  window j  closes  it  and 

leans  against  it.) 
Well,  then,  I'll  close  the  window.     Now  I 

have  you, 
And    1    will   keep  you.      I   have   closed   the 

window ; 
We  shall  not  look  through  it,  it  is  forgotten. 
Is  not  my  palace  here  a  pleasant  place? 

{Coming  down  stage  toward  him.) 

There   are  perfumes   in  the  air   if   we  will 

breathe  them. 
Oh  never,  never  shall  we  leave  this  palace! 
See,  they  have  gathered  roses,  warm  and  red 
Instead  of  cold,  pale  lilies.     Fear  no  more; 
The   window's   closed,    I    say.      I    have   re- 
nounced 
The  pallid  flower  of  dreams  for  the  red  rose 
Of  love.     Now  smile  at  me.     It  is  our  own. 
Our  own  affair.  Who  questions  what  we  do? 
Here  at  my  knees  you'll  live.  Nothing  hence- 
forth 


ACT  III  73 

Is  real  but  our  kisses.    Who  shall  say 

Fear  and  Remorse  to  us?     Who  speaks  of 

Rudel, 
Or  of  a  boat?     No  one.     Nothing  is  real 

now, 
Unless  it  be  our  love.     Beyond  the  window 
The  golden  shore  widens  into  a  gulf, 
A  great  blue  gulf — without  a  boat  at  anchor. 
Some    day   long   hence,    in   the    far    distant 

future, 
When  we  re-open  the  window,  how  we'll 

laugh, 
Laugh  at  our  absurd  fears  because  we  see 
Nothing  at  all!     What,  indeed,  is  this  tale 
Of  a  black  flag  that  some  one  was  to  raise? 
It  is  a  fairy  tale !    The  window's  closed. 
Don't  think  of  anything,  beloved.    Why 
Should    you    suppose    that    dreadful    things 

abide 
Behind  that  window?  Doesn't  it  look  harm- 
less? 
It  smiles,  you  see,  with  gold  and  blue  enamel. 
Bert.     You  speak  to  me  of  nothing  but  the  win- 
dow. 
Melis.     'Tis  false!     I  never  mentioned  it!     I  love 


you 


I  want  to  hear  you,  speak  of  you,  of  me — 

How  splendid  is  that  buckle  on  your  collar! 

Who  gave  it  you  ? 
Bert.  Jeffrey  Rudel. 

Melis.  What  of  it? 

You  need  do  nothing  more  than  cast  it  off. 
Bert.     O   friend   and  brother,   with  your  gifts   I 
please  her! 


74  THE   PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

Melis.     To  please  you  need  but  wear  your  coarse 
brown  doublet, 
Soiled,  smelling  of  the  battle  and  the  dust; 
And  be  the  fiery,  young  adventurer! 
My  lips  can  be  the  buckle  on  your  neck. 
No,  don't  draw  back.     Your  eyes  lie  every 

time 
They  turn  away  from  me.     Oh  you   know 
well— 
Bert.     I  know  your  voice  goes  to  the  very  core 
Of  all  my  being! 

( The  windoiv  is  blown  open  by  a  great  gust 
of  wind.) 
Melis.  A  sea  breeze  has  re-opened 

The  window.     Go  and  close  it. 
Bert.  No,  I  fear 

Too  much   to  see  the   flag  on  the  horizon. 
Melis.     Then  turn  your  ej^es  away. 
Bert.  Still  I  should  see  it. 

Melis.      (Rises  to  go  to  the  ivindow  gliding  along 
the  wall.) 

One  can  avoid  meeting  it  face  to  face. 

(On  reaching  the  window  she  hesitates,  not 
daring  to  close  it,  comes  back  slowly,  still 
hugging  the  wall,  and  drops  down  beside 
Bertrand  on  the  divan.) 

We'll  stay  right  here!     One  can't  see  any- 
thing 
From  here.     Here  we'll  entomb  ourselves 
In  our  deep  love.    Love  as  all  happy  people! 
Bert.     What  are  you  saying? 


ACT  III  75 

Melis.  That  all  happy  ones 

Have  this  same  open  window  at  their  backs. 

They  feel,  all  of  them,  by  the  chill  that 
blows 

Upon  their  souls,  the  window's  silent  protest. 

But  they  cower  down,  they  will  not  go  to 
see; 

For  they  would  see  the  ship  of  solemn  duty 

Calling  them  far  away  from  happiness. 

Then,  if  it  is  too  late,  they'll  see  Remorse 

Spread  out  its  black  and  rigid  folds  be- 
fore them. 

Thus  cowering  in  their  cushions,  feigning 
neither 

To  see  nor  hear,  they  hug  their  happiness. 

This  dream,  this  phantom  to  their  bosoms; 

All  seeking  to  forget  they  are  assassins. 

We'll  do  like  them.  Rest  on  the  traitorous 
cushions ! 

{Embraces  him,  leaning  back  among  the 
cushions.) 

Bert.     Yes,  let  us!     But  alas,  unhappy  woman, 

How  can  we?    Are  we  like  them ?    Haven't 

I 
A  soul,  and  you?     Can  we  be  happy  thus? 

Melis.     Surely!    I  love  you. 

(One  hears  through  the  window  a  joyous 
tumult.) 

Bert.      (Trembling.)     What  is  that? 
Melis.  Oh,  nothing! 

The  servants  playing  games  upon  the  ter- 
race. 


76  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Voices.     {From  without.) 

One,  two, — eight ! 
Melis.         There,  you  see,  a  game  of  jackstones. 
Voices.     It's  fine  today! 
Bert.  I  love  you,  Melissinde! 

Some  fairy  christened  you,  your  name  is 
honey. 

And  your  lips  honey. 
Voices.  My!  the  sea  is  pretty! 

Oh,  look  there,  look! 
Bert.      (Trernbling.)     What  are  they  looking  at? 
Melis.     Why,  something  in  the  distance. 
A  Voice.  See  the  ship! 

Bert.     They're  speaking  of  a  boat. 
Melis.  Don't  listen  to  them. 

Bert.     I'll   not.     These  voices — 
Melis.  I  hear  nothing.    What 

Was   that   they   said? 
Bert.      {With  a  gesture  of  discouragement.) 

You  see! 
Melis.  'Twas  but  a  boat. 

Then  why  do  you  believe — 
A  Voice.  Yes,  look,  just  look, 

They're  raising  a  black  flag. 

{Melissinde  and  Bert,  start.) 

A  Voice  I'm  going  down 

To  the  wharf.     You  others  coming? 

( There  is  a  sound  of  voices  and  of  retreating 
steps.  Bertrand  and  Melissinde  separate 
slowly  without  daring  to  look  at  each  oth' 
er.     There  is  a  very  long  silence.) 


ACT  III  77 

Melis.      (Finally,    in    a    voice    scarcely    audible.) 

Well? 
Bert.     Well!    What?    Nothing! 

{He  takes  mechanically  Melissinde's  scarf 
which  has  been  left  among  the  cushions 
and  smells  it.) 

A  very  delicate  perfume. 
What  did  you  call  it? 
Melis.  Oh,  yes — I — It's  amber. 

Bert.     Your  scarf!     I  touch  it  with  my  lips;   your 
scarf — 

(He  falls  in  a  heap  with  terrible  cries  and 
sobs.) 

Oh !    Oh !    Oh !    It  is  finished.    He  is  dead. 
Dead!     My  best  friend,  the  brother  of  my 

soul. 
What   have   I   done?     Without  the   happi- 
ness 
Of  which  he  dreamed  ?    What  have  we  done 
we  two? 
Melis.     'Tis  dreadful.     But  at  least  I  have  you 

now. 
Bert.     You  have  a  Judas — oh,  a  worthy  mate! 
Melis.     Traitor  through  love — is  that  not  beauti- 
ful? 
Bert.     I  do  not  like  that  kind  of  beauty.     I 
Am  not  your  hero  of  defiant  crime; 
But  one  whose  feeble  heart  is  ever  swayed 
By  the  last  thrill:    I  drift  with  every  breeze. 
To  make  a  traitor  out  of  me  is  easy; 


78  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Each  new  emotion  sways  me.  Oh,  this  morn- 
ing 
I  was  heroic,  resolute ;    behold 
I  sold  my  soul  for  a  perfume !     Oh 
I  know  myself  too  well.     You  have  me,  say 


you 


You  haven't  much !     A  toy,  a  thing  unstable 

As  shadows  on  the  water. 
Melis.  Listen,  Bertrand! 

Remorse  has  made  you  wild. 
Bert.  And  my  remorse 

Proves  that  I   am  not  cast  in  hero-mould. 

The  strong  ones,  when  they  have  committed 
crime 

Make  out  of  it  a  thing  of  grandeur,  I 

Am    stricken    with     remorse,    because     I'm 
feeble. 

Most  wretched  of  all  wretches,  whether  I 

Attempt  the  good  or  ill,  I  always  fail. 

Oh,  I've  good  aspirations,  make  fair  prom- 
ise, 

Lend  my  voice  freely.     But  to  persevere 

To  the  end,  I  cannot,     I  have  not  the  will. 

To  think  these  years  of  loyalty  to  him 

Should  end  in  treason!     Then,  through  all 
my  life. 

Repent,  repent, — in  vain! 
Melis.  Hear  me  Bertrand — 

Bert.     Ah,   would   that  you,   despising  your   own 
self 

Despised  me  too,  as  I  now  loathe  myself! 

You,  woman,  that  with  Circe's  subtle  art 

For  a  caprice  have  ruined  me! 
Melis.     {Rooted  to  the  spot.)     What  does  he  say? 


ACT  III  79 

Did  he  see  nothing  more  in  me  than  one 
Who  gave  herself  too  freely?     Does  he  not 
See  compensation  for  his  loss  of  honor 
In  my  whole  souled  devotion?    Then  hence- 
forth 
I  live  alone  my  dream  of  the  ideal. 
And  what  we  did  was  an  atrocious  crime. 
Bert.     She  led  me  to  my  ruin;    she — O  God! — 

{He  falls  071  his  knees  weeping.) 

No,  I  speak  wildly.     Pardon  me,  oh  pardon ! 
After  what  I  have  done  I  need  your  lips ; 
You  cannot  leave  me  now.     I  need  your  hair, 
As  a  shroud  for  my  remorse.    Stay,  stay  with 

me! 
Henceforth    I   cannot,   dare   not  live   alone! 

Melis.     It  is  too  late!     What  abject  thoughts  are 
these  ? 
It  was  a  ghastly  crime  that  we  committed. 
And  yet,  O  wretched  partner,  is  it  mine 
To  sit  in  judgment  on  you?     I  deceived 
Myself  as  well  as  you.     Betrayed  myself 
Far  more  than  you.    And  yet  you  think  that 

I 
Could  find  forgetfulness  within  your  arms? 
Alas,  earth  holds  not  anywhere  so  great  a 

peace 
It  could  contain  my  restlessness.     No  bread 
Could  feed  my  hunger.     Never  water 
Through  all  eternity  could  quench  my  thirst. 

Bert.     It  is  all  ended. 

Melis.  Ended. 

Bert.  Melissinde — 


8o  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Melis.  Bertrand — 

Bert.     Think  how  he  must  have  suffered  ere  he 

dfed! 
Melis.      {Going  to  the  window.) 

Have  mercy  on   me,   dear,   dead   friend   be- 
trayed ! 

I  go  to  seek  your  corpse. 

{With  a  great  cry.)     The  flag  is  white! 
Bert.     O  God  of  pity — 

Melis.  Yet  they  surely  said — 

Bert.      {Who  has  run  to  the  windoiu.) 

The   flag  of   mourning  on   the   boat   which 
bore 

The  Green-clad  Knight  back  to  Byzantium! 

But  on  our  boat,  which  lies  there  still,  the 
flag 

Is  white! 
Melis.         White,   white   against   a   sky   of   blue! 

White  as  our  hope  of  pardon.    O  my  God, 

Keep  it  still  white,  this  flag  which  is  my  star! 

Duty,  whose  call  I  tried  to  smother,  now 

I  heed  you,  and  I  go  to  Jeffrey  Rudel. 

To  Jeffrey  Rudel,  dearer  now  because 

Of  all  the  evil  that  I  would  have  done  him. 

Curtain 


Act  IV 

Same  setting  as  in  Act  I.  Day  of  rose  arid  gold 
which  precedes  the  setting  of  the  sun.  Jeffrey  Rudel 
in  the  same  place  on  his  cot  up  stage.  More  livid 
than  in  the  morning ^  his  eyes  always  fixed  landward, 
completely  motionless.  At  his  side  watching  him 
Master  Erasmus.  Kneeling,  with  his  head  in  his 
hands,  at  the  foot  of  the  bed  Father  Trophimus. 
At  the  right  and  left  the  sailors  very  much  wrought 
up  against  Squarciafico,  who  with  his  arms  crossed, 
stands  in  the  center  of  the  stage.  He  has  just  fin- 
ished speaking  and  has  his  head  turned  toward  Jef- 
frey Rudel.  Violent  murmurs.  The  pilot  restrains 
the  sailors  who  are  about  to  fall  upon  him. 

Scene   I 

Jeffrey  Rudel,  Father  Trophimus,  Erasmus, 
Squarciafico,   the   Sailors:     Bruno,   Bis- 

TAGNE,    MaRRIAS,     PeGOFAT,    TrOBALDO, 

Francois,  Etc. 

Squar.     I   tell  you  this:  she  loves  him,   he  loves 
her. 
And  the  delay  explains  itself — 
Sailors.  Gag  him!     Throw  him  overboard! 

{Jeffrey  Rudel  does  not  turn  his  eyes  from 
the  shore.  Not  a  muscle  of  his  face 
moves.) 

The  Capt.      (To  the  sailors.)     Let  him  talk  if  he 
wants  to. 

8i 


82  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Sailors.  No!  The  coward! 

He'll  kill  the  prince,  and  what's  the  use  of 

that  ? 
Squar.      {Speaking    to    the    Prince.)       Yes,    your 

friend  Bertrand — 
P.1GO.  You're  a  liar,  fellow! 

Squar.     No!     The  Princess — 
Bruno.  The  Princess?    Never!     Never! 

Fran.  That's  a  lie ! 

Capt.     But  let  him  finish!     Speak! 

{Jeffrey  Rtidel  has  not  moved  a  iriimcle,  his 
eyes  are  still  fixed  in  the  distance.) 
Squar.      {Louder.)  Then  this  sly  rogue — 

BiST.     That's  you,  of  course! 
Squar.  They're  crazy  for  each  other! 

Yes,  over  there  in  the  palace,  he  and  she, — 
Prince,  do  you  hear?    While  you  were  wait- 
ing for  them — 
Eras.     The  prince  is  too  far  gone  to  hear  you,  sir. 
Squar.     'Twould  be  some  torture  for  that  scoun- 
drel Bertrand 
To  know  the  prince  knew  all  before  he  died. 
Eras.     The  prince  can  neither  hear  nor  speak.   His 
eyes 
Are  all  of  him  that  lives. 
Squar.  He  ought  to  know  it! 

Eras.     He  hears  no  more. 
Father  T.      {Lifting  his  eyes  to  heaven.)      Now, 

God  be  thanked  for  that! 
Squar.      {To  the  captain.)     You,  at  least,  if  this 
perjured  hypocrite 
Dares  to  come  back  here,  if  he  weeps,  and 
bends 


ACT  III  83 

His  lying  knees  before  the  prince,  will  tell 
him 

Rudel  despised  him,  cursed  him,  hated  him, 

When  he  had  heard  my  story. 
Capt.      (To  sailors.)  Take  that  fellow 

And  hang  him  if  you  will. 
Squar.  What!   What! 

Sailors.  Death  to  him! 

Liar!    Blasphemer! 
Pego.  The  princess  never  did  such  things. 

Squar.     But  listen! 

Bruno.     Keep  your  dirty  hands  off  the  princess! 
Fran.     She'll  come. 

BisT.  She  sure  will. 

Trob.  My  lord  Bertrand  promised. 

Squar.     Listen!     Then  afterwards — 
Pego.  You'd  make  a  good 

Fat  living,  telling  lies. 
Squar.  You're  blockheads  all  of  you! 

Bruno     You  like  to  bring  bad  news  to  folks. 
Squar.  But  hear  me — 

Marrias     You  like  to  snatch  hope  from  unhappy 

ones. 
Squar.     But — 
Fran.     Say  to  a  dying  man  he  will  not  live 

To  see  her  when  she  comes! 
Squar.  I  tell  the  truth! 

Pego.     You  slaver  on  the  image  of  our  lady, 

That's  what  you  do. 
Squar.  Oh  you  blind  moles,  you  bats, 

I'll  make  you  see. 
Trob.  Supposin'  we  don't  want  to. 

Squar.     You  idiots! 
Juan  We  like  to  be  that  way. 


84  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

Fran.     You  take  away  our  princess,  and  we'll  hang 

you. 
Pego.     Or  break  your  neck. 

Bruno  Or  put  you  to  the  torture. 

Fran.     We  Catalonians  cut  the  feet  off. 
Squar.  Oh,  no,  no!     Have  mercy! 

BiST.     We  might  tear  out  his  tongue. 
Squar.      {In  a  dying  voice.)     No!    No! 
Trob.  Or's  nostrils. 

Pego.     Up  north  the  sailors  have  a  nifty  way 

Of  fixing  folks  like  him.     They  nail  'em  up 

On  the  mast.    They  plant  a  good  sharp  knife 

Right  in  the  middle  of  the  palm,  like  that; 

Then  when  they  whip  him,  and  he  moves  his 
hands, 

It  cut's  'em,  bad ! 
Squar,  No,  no!    Have  mercy  on  me! 

Pego.      (Tranquilly.)     Sometimes,  half  of  the  fing- 
ers will  be  left 

Stuck  on  the  mast. 
Squar.      {Writhing.)  But  I'm  a  citizen 

Of  Genoa! 

{All  the  sailors  move  away  from  him.) 

Bruno  Ah,  so! 

Fran.  Oh ! 

BisT.  Ah ! 

Trob.  The  devil! 

Pego.     What  do  you  say  to  that,  you  outlaws?    He 
Is  a  citizen  of  Genoa! 

{They  all  bow  before  Squarciafico.) 

Squar.     (Reassured.)  Of  Genoa,  remember. 


ACT  IV  85 

{All  salute  him  anew.) 

Bruno     Then 

{Changitig  his  tone  brusquely  and  grabbing 
Squarciafico    by    the   collar.) 

I  care  as  much  for  you  as  for  a  nut. 
Squar.      (Bezvildered.)     Why!    What! 
Fran.      (Pushing  him  toivard  the  edge  of  the  boat.) 

Into  the  water,  swim  to  Genoa! 
Squar.     Help!     Help! 
Father  T.     No,  that's  enough! 
Pego.  He  has  a  chance 

To  swim.     We  didn't  sew  him  in  a  sack. 
Squar.      (Clinging  to  the  edge  of  the  boat.) 

I  have  the  money! 
Sailors.  In  the  water  with  him! 

Squar.     I've  gold! 

Sailors.     One,     two,   three — outward     bound    for 
Genoa! 

(They  throw  him  in.) 

Father  T.     What  have  you  done? 

Bruno  We've  drowned  him,  that  we  have; 

And  in  the  very  flower  of  his  age. 
Fran.     Don't  worry,  father.     He's  a  bad  one,  and 

I  guess  that  he  can  swim. 

(Voice  of  Squarciafico,  mocking.) 

You'd  better  believe 

I  can,  you  dirty  thieves! 
BiST.  You  can,  eh?    Wait! 

(He  takes  a  bow  and  arrow,  aims.) 


86  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Father  T.     No,  no ! 

Sailors.  Yes,  take  good  aim. 

{Everybody  has  gone  to  the  right  of  the  ves- 
sel leaning  forward  to  follow  Squarciafico 
with  their  eyes.  Erasmus  alone  has  re- 
mained at  the  side  of  Jeffrey  Rudel,  who 
has  not  seemed  to  be  aware  of  this  scene.) 

Eras.  Look!    Look!    The  prince! 

What  ails  him? 

{Every  one  has  turned.  They  see  Jeffrey 
Riidcl  whose  hand  has  been  lifted  slowly 
and  points  toward  the  distant  horizon.) 

I 

Father  T.  He  sees  something. 

Pego.  Points  to  something! 

Bruno     Oh  j-es!    He's  right.    Look  yonder!  Rosy, 

golden ! 

It's  coming! 

Fran.  He  is.  right  all  right.    There  is 

A  sure  'nuff  flower  show  comes  on  the  water. 

{One  hears  a  burst  of  music.) 

BisT.     Hooray!    I  knew  that  sly  old  Genoese 

Was  lying  all  the  time.    The  music!  Listen! 
Pego.     'Tis  she!     In  a  golden  galley,  shooting  sun- 
beams ! 
Bruno.      {Running    like   a    madman    and   jostling 
everybody.) 
It's    her    I    tell    you.      Look,    you    fellows! 
Look! 


ACT  IV  87 

(The  ladders  fill  with  sailors;  they  all  stand 
on  the  barricading,  or  climb  on  the  yards, 
waving  their  caps.) 

Father  T.      {Falling  on  his  knees.) 

I  thank  Thee,  Father,  Thou  didst  not  permit 
This  soul  to  die  despairing! 

{The  music  becomes  more  distinct.) 

Pego.  Purple  pennants! 

Bruno.     And  sails  of  scarlet  satin! 

Fran.  Heaps  of  flowers! 

BiST.     I  never  saw  the  like — a  little  garden! 

Juan     Say,  she  looks  good  to  me! 

Capt.  The  boat  rides  smooth, 

A  Persian  carpet  trails  along  the  water. 
Eras.     She  comes  with  harps,  and  lutes,  and  vio- 
lins! 
All.      {Waving   their  caps.) 

Melissinde !  Hail,  the  Princess!    Melissinde ! 

Long  live  the  Princess! 
Eras.  I  don't  know  what's  the  matter. 

I've  got  a  pain  in  the  throat. 

{Weeps.)      Hurrah!     Hurrah! 

{Turning    to    Father    Trophitnus.) 

Did  you  hear  me  shout? 
Father  T.      {Clasping  his  hand.)  There's  tears  in 

your  eyes,  too. 
Capt.     Put  out  the  plank  so  she  can  enter,  boys. 

{Sailors  do  as  ordered.) 

Father  T.     The   Prince!      His   mantle   quickly, 
make  him  ready, 


88  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

So  Melissinde  can  see  him.     He's  not  fit 
To  be  seen,  alas!    His  eyes  already  glazing — 

Capt.     She  is  here! 

Pego.     Throw  down  your  rags  to  her! 

{They  make  on  the  bridge  a  carpet  with 
their  ragged  garments.) 

All     {With  muffled  voices.) 

Silence!        Straight    lines!       Don't    shove! 

Down  on  your  knees! 
She's  coming!     Hush!     The  Princess! 

{A  great  silence.  The  violins  cease.  The 
boat  stops  without  noise,  there  is  a  cloud 
of  incense,  and  under  an  awning  Melis- 
sinde appears.  She  remains  a  moment 
motionless.) 

A  Sailor.     {Softly.)  The  madonna! 

( Two  saracen  slaves  advance  to  unroll  be- 
fore Melissinde  a  rich  carpet.  She  stops 
them  with  a  gesture  and  in  a  voice  choked 
with  emotion.) 

1 

Scene  H 

The    same,    Melissinde,    Sorismonde,     Women, 
Children,  Slaves,  etc.,  then  Bertrand. 

Melis.     No.    I  will  walk  upon  these  rags  of  serge  1 

{She  advances  very  slowly,  looking  about  her 
as  in  a  daze.  The  women  range  them- 
selves noiselessly  up  stage.     The  musicians 


ACT  IV  89 

remain  in  the  galley.  Erasmus  and  Tro- 
phimus  hide  from  her  Jeffrey  Rudel  who 
seems  in  a  swoon,  his  eyes  closed.) 

Melis.     This  boat,  these  weeping  people! — am   I 
dreaming? 
And  these  poor  men  upon  their  knees!     (To 
sailors.)      My  friends — 
Pego.     Yes,  that  is  her  all  right!     She  speaks  like 

that! 
Melis.      (/Advancing.)     Oh  all  you  suffering  ones, 
ragged  and  lean, 
Is  it  my  presence  that  brings  joy  to  you? 
Do  I  relieve  your  sorrows?     My  heart  aches 
To   see   you   thus.      Bertrand   has   told   me 

something — 
Not  all — one  has  to  see  to  understand. 

{With  an  involuntary  shudder.) 

But  where  is  he — the  prince — Jeffrey  Rudel? 

Father  T.     Have  courage,  madame.     You  must 
know  that  he 
Is  very  ill.     His  face — 
Melis.  His  face?    Ah,  yes! 

But  I'll — control  myself. 
Father  T.      {Moving  away  and  taking  Erasmus 
with  him.) 

Then  come  to  him. 
Melis.     {Seeing  Rudel.) 

Ah,  heaven!      {She  glides  sobbing  down  by 

the  cot.) 
For  me !    For  me ! 


90  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

{She  weeps  silently.   The  eyes  of  Rudel  open, 
they  grow  large  and  light,  a  smile  comes 
to   his  lips.) 
Eras.  Watch  him,  he  wakes! 

Melis.     He  smiles!     Ah,  such  a  smile!    To  think 
that  I 
Might  have  missed  seeing  it! 
Father  T.  We've  dressed  him,  see, 

In  princely  robes.     He  never  for  an  instant 
Doubted  that  j^ou  v^^ould  come.    He  hears  no 

longer, 
Nor  speaks.     We  feared  he  did  not  see. 
But  he  was  first  to  see  your  boat  approach- 
ing. 
Melis.      {Still  kneeling  and  looking  at  him.) 

Even  in  that  long  delay — he  did  not  doubt? 
Pego.     No  madam! 

Bruno  And  no  more  did  we,  in  truth. 

Melis.     No  more  did  you? 

Capt.  Keep  your  mouths  shut,  I  say. 

Fran.      {Vehemently.)     Even  when  Squarciaflasco 

told  us  things. 
Melis.      {Terrified.)     The  Genoan — has  he  been 

here? 
Bert.      {Who  has  just  appeared  on  the  deck.) 

And  has  he — 
The  scoundrel! 
Father  T.  Be  assured  he  has  heard  nothing. 

Jeffrey  R.      {In  a  feeble  voice.)  Yes,  I  have  heard 

it  all! 
Melis      {Clasping   her  hands  together.)      O   God 
of  grace! 
What  must  he   then  have  thought!     Alas, 
what  shame! 


ACT  IV  91 

Jeffrey.     (Gently.)     I  have  thought  this :  it  mat- 
ters very  little 
What  mad  or  wicked  people  tell.     So  I  said 

nothing, 
Never   a  word.      I   knew   that   you,   would 

come. 
And  since  my  breath  is  counted  out  in  gasps, 
I  had  to  hoard  it  all,  to  speak  to  you. 
Melis.     O  God! 

Jeffrey  R,     I  really  did  not  listen  to  the  man. 
I  kept  a-gazing  yonder.     I'd  the  feeling 
I  had  to  keep  my  eyes  fixed  there,  that  they 
Would  draw  you  hence,  even  if  you  were 

held 
By  some  strong  spell. 
Melis.  Oh! 

Jeffrey  R.     You  came,  you  came  to  me! 

{Sees  Bertrand.)  I  thank  you,  good  Ber- 
trand,  give  me  your  hand. 

{Bertrand  hesitates.  Father  Trophimus 
pushes  him  forward.  He  places  with  a 
shudder  his  hand  in  that  of  Rudel.) 

You  never  thought  I  could  believe  a  tale 
Told  by  a  malicious  stranger.      Never  I 
Could  wrong,  even  in  thought,  your  loyal 
heart. 

{Bertrand  kisses  his  hand.) 

Melis.     Oh  this  noble  faith! 
Jeffrey  R.  Is  recompensed  enough! 

You're  here.  I  have  then  all  of  which  I 
dreamed ! 


92  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

{With  a  smile.) 

The    Princess    has    arrived !      All    hail,    my 


princess 


{He  closes  his  eyes,  exhausted.) 
Eras.     Wait!     He  is  gathering  strength  to  speak 

again. 
Bert.      {In  a  dull  voice  to  Father  Trophimus.) 

I  can  bear  this  no  longer!     I  must  tell  him! 
Father   T.     What,    son?      {Bertrand    hangs    his 
head  in  shame.) 

No,  do  not  think  about  yourself. 

You  would  console  your  feelings  by  confessing 

That  you're  unworthy?    You  would  trouble 

him 
Just  to  relieve  yourself?    Better  keep  silence. 
Bert.     He  will  know  soon  how  basely  I  betrayed 

him. 
Father  T.     His   soul    in   that   great   peace   that 
passeth  knowledge, 
Will  only  feel  the  Christian's  tender  pity, 
Knowing  that  you   are  wretched.      Silence, 
son! 
Melis.     Let  him  come  back  a  moment,  God.     I 
would 
Be  what  he  dreamed  me  for  a  little  while. 
I  would  reward  his  faith  in  me.     We  cause 
Flowers  to  grow  sometimes  by  thinking  of 

them. 
And  I  would  be  the  lady  that  he  thought  me. 
In  expiation  let  me  soothe  a  little 
The  path  of  death,  even  if  it  costs  me  pain. 
Let  my  smile  light  his  way.     These  bitter 
moments 


ACT  IV  93 

I  would  make  glad  with  beauty. 
Eras.  He  is  opening 

His  eyes  again. 
Melis.  Prince  Jeffrey  Rudel — 

Jeffrey  R.  No, 

I  did  not  dream. 
Melis.  I  came  because  you  called  me. 

I  know  your  love  and  your  long  constancy. 

The  pilgrims  sang  your  verses.  On  the  wind 

Your  thoughts  were  borne  to  me  as  is  the 
perfume 

From  our  palm  blossoms.    When  at  eventide 

You  wept  for  all  vain  things,  I  seemed  to 
feel 

Your  tears  upon  my  hands.     But  since  you 
wished 

To  see  the  unknown  princess,  I  am  come. 

I  came,  O  my  beloved,  to  the  sound 

Of  lutes  and  violins.     I  bring  to  you 

On  this  our  wedding  day,  an  amethyst  ring. 

{She  places  the  ring  on  his  finger.) 

To  our  sad  happiness  its  color  sad 

Is  fitting.    You  have  sung  about  my  hands; 

I    place    them    now    in    yours,    my    lips    on 
yours — 
Jeffrey  R.     On  my  lips  chapped  with  fever! 
Melis.  On  your  lips 

And  on  your  eyes. 
Jeffrey  R.  Alas  I  tremble  so! 

Melis.     You  are  in  my  arms  clasped  tightly. 
Jeffrey  R.  Ah,  a  shudder 

Of  pain!     Are  you  still  there? 


94  THE  PRINCESS  FAR-AWAY 

Melis.  Upon  my  breast 

I  rock  you  like  a  child. 
Jeffrey  R.  Now  I  am  better 

Melis.     Can  you  still  see  these   pearls  upon  my 

throat  ? 
Jeffrey    R.     Upon    your    throat    divine — ah,    all 

grows  dim ; 

1  am  going  out,  out — 
Melis.      (To  Father  Trophimus.)     Wer't  better  I 
should  leave  him 

With  you,  O  holy  father? 
Father  T.  No,  madame, 

'Tis  better  thus.     He  is  prepared  to  go. 
Melis.     How  lovely   is  our  love,  Jeffrey   Rudel! 

It  was  God's  will  that  our  two  souls  should 
touch. 

Only  a  moment  touch  each  other's  wings. 

{Father  Trophimus  kneels  at  the  foot  of  the 
cot  and  prays  softly.) 

Jeffrey  R.     Speak,  that  I  may  not  hear  approach- 
ing me 

The  furtive  steps,  the  slow  and  stealthy  steps. 

Speak  without  ceasing  and  I  die  content. 
Melis.     Beloved,  at  night  among  the  oleanders 

I  dreamed  of  you.     And  when  I  sat  at  morn 

Among  the  myrtles  I  could  talk  with  you, 

Long  secret  conversations. 
Jeffrey  R.  Speak,  oh  speak! 

Melis.     And  when   I  walked   among  the  slender 
lilies 

They  bowed  to  me  as  if  to  give  a  sign 


ACT  IV  95 

None  other  were  quite  worthy   enough   to 

give ; 
A  sign  of  love,  so  royal  and  so  white 
As  is  your  love.    And  to  the  lilies  I 
Confided  that  I  loved  you. 
Jeffrey  R.  Speak,  beloved! 

Your  voice  is  music  in  itself,  speak  on! 
Melis.     I  told  the  lilies  of  my  love  for  you. 
Jeffrey  R.     Ah,  now  I  can  depart.  I  have  no  more 
To  wish  for  or  desire.    God,  I  thank  Thee! 
I     thank    you,     Melissinde!       Alas.      How 

many 
Less  blest  than  I  must  leave  the  world  with- 
out 
Once  having  seen  the  Princess  Far-Away! 
Melis.     Pity  them  too  who  found  her  soon  and 
near, 
And  for  too  long  a  time.     Their  days  must 

end 
In  disenchantment.     Better  to  depart 
As  soon  as  one  arrives,  than  see  the  shore 
Grow   commonplace.      I    strain   you    to   my 

heart, 
Because  I  am  still  the  stranger  and  the  sister. 
You  shall  not  see  the  mournful,  ashen  gray 
Of  the  too  familiar  idol.     Far  away 
I  was  and  shall  be — thus  I  pleased  a^ou  best. 
Your  eyes  shall  close  upon  your  dream  of  me. 
Radiant,  without  a  shadow;    that  is  best. 
Jeffrey    R.     The    Princess    came.      Farewell,    O 

princess  mine! 
Melis.      {Lifts  him  up  into  the  glory  of  the  sunset.) 
The  sky  is  all  aflame.    You  die  the  death 


96  THE  PRINCESS   FAR-AWAY 

Of  the  poet  and  the  prince.     The  arms  of 

love 
Are  round  about  you.    You  are  blest  of  God. 
Amid  the  scent  of  flowers  and  the  sound 
Of  violins  you  die.    Your  path  to  heaven  lies 
Across  the  glory  of  a  sunset  sea! 

{Jeffrey   Rudel's   head  falls   back   in  death. 
She  lays   him   down  softly.) 

Bert.      {Coming  forward.) 

Now,  you  have  paid  it  all,  yea  more  than 
all. 
Melis.  Who  speaks? 

You,   Bertrand?     Nay,  we  must   renounce, 

renounce ! 
The  web  of  falsehood  that  was  once  my  life 
Is  rent  in  twain.     I  can  forget  myself! 
Pale  lily  of  my  dreams,  red  rose  of  love 
You're  nothing  to  this  springtide  in  my  soul. 
That  it  may  be  eternal  I  must  go 
The  steep  path   to  the  convent,  to  Mount 
Carmel. 
Bert.     Alas! 

Melis.      {To   the  sailors.)      Your  work  is  ended 
here,  good  mariners. 
You  shall  have  food  and  clothes.     Here  take 
my  jewels, 

{She   tears   them  from   her   neck,  arms  and 
hair. ) 

These  poor,  vain  empty  things  that  weighed 

so  heavy. 
They  do  not  pay  my  debt  to  you. 


ACT  IV  97 

Bert.  And  I, 

What  shall  I  have? 
Melis.  You  shall  go  with  these  men 

To  battle  for  the  Cross. 
All  the  Sailors.      {Brandishing  their  weapons.) 

The  Cross!    We're  with  you! 
Capt.     Tomorrow  we  will  burn  the  glorious  barge 

That  bore  the  poet. 
Trob.      (Pointing  to  Bertrand.)      Follow  him,  our 

chief! 
Bert.     For  us  the  palms  above  the  tomb  of  Christ! 
Melis.      {IVithdrazving  toivard  the  galley.) 

Farewell,  but  do  not  weep.     I  have  found 
peace ! 

I  know  at  last  the  one  essential. 
Father  T.      (Kneeling  before  the  body  of  Jeffrey.) 

So  all  great  lovers  always  work  for  God! 

Curtain 


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